Mornings in the garden were the best for her. Hiroki was somewhere running some errands which left her alone, content and feeling warm under the rays of the morning sun.
She sighed as she leaned into her legs, and rested her head on her knees.
She fingered one of the flowers that she had planted years ago. Just like Hiroki told her, the flowers bloomed into one of the most beautiful.
That's when she thought she had hope yet. She smiled to herself, thinking of how Itachi and Shisui had gone out of their way just to cheer her up after the chunin exams a few years back.
Shisui-Chan...
She hugged her folded legs, pulling them closer to her body and buried her face as deep as she could in to her knees to keep from crying.
She breathed in, she had to be strong. She wasn't the only one who would be hurt.
But she missed him already.
This evening, she didn't even feel like going. Itachi obviously had no intention of speaking to her yesterday. Maybe after the festival, he had changed.
Shisui wasn't going to be there to lighten the mood, Shisui wasn't going to be there to tease her and make her giggle almost all the time.
She sighed, as her hold loosened.
She shouldn't be so pessimistic! There has to be a reason why Itachi had ignored her.
Itachi wasn't that kind of person, she convinced herself.
She would just have to wait patiently for Shisui's return and try her best to patch things up with Itachi.
She got up on her feet and stretched a little. She sighed as her arms relaxed at her sides.
She walked dreamily to her room, passing by the dojo only to be stopped by the sight of her younger sister.
She peeked through the slight opening and watched as her sister performed various moves with such elegance and grace.
Hinata smiled to herself her sister was a real prodigy the total opposite of her.
She was going to graduate soon and Hinata was positive that she would come out top in her class.
Hanabi was sweating profusely and panting heavily. How long had she been training Hinata wondered.
Hinata had been trying a little harder to form a bond with her younger sister although it proved to be tougher than expected she refused to give up.
She decided that helping her recover from her fatigue would be a step in the right direction.
Hanabi's head turned at the sound of the door sliding open. Relief flooded over her as the figure before her was her meek older sister and not her stern father. She wouldn't want her father to see her so tired and pathetic.
Hanabi eyed Hinata for a moment before bowing her head to look down at her feet as she slowly caught her breath.
Hinata was smiling warmly at her younger sister as always.
Hanabi wasn't as rewarding, she remained indifferent and didn't seem to care about the efforts she was putting into making their relationship work.
They were rivals, not sisters in Hanabi's mind.
They shared the same blood, the same bloodline, but they weren't sisters.
She walked her own path, her sister would walk hers.
And yet, she tries so hard for something so futile.
So foolish.
Hinata was just showing her weakness. She was far too soft and kind for her own good.
Whatever, Hanabi thought. It's not like anything she does is going to make a difference.
"Hanabi-Chan." Hinata smiled.
Hanabi glared at her elder sister through the corner of her eyes.
She wanted to hiss, to reprimand her but felt it was a waste of breath. She had given her many cold stares and remarks whenever her sister had called her that, but she just doesn't listen.
The little Hyuuga sighed out of frustration as she wiped the sweat on her forehead with the back of her palm.
She turned to look at her elder sister, eyes demanding.
'What do you want?'
Her pale eyes spoke, and Hinata understood.
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Hn." The younger one nodded and expected her sister to leave her be.
She was growing steadily irritated as her sister stood still, with her warm smile practically glued on to her pale face.
"Anything else?" Hanabi asked wryly.
"Do you want some tea?"
Hanabi furrowed her eyebrows.
"Tea?"
"Mm." Hinata nodded.
"I'll make you some myself." She smiled.
"Why would you do that? There are servants around, making tea, household chores is all their duty. Now if you – "
"I want to make you tea, Hanabi-Chan."
Hanabi inwardly groaned.
Give it up already.
She sighed out loud as her sister nodded, gesturing her to take the offer.
"If I drink your tea will you leave me alone?"
The words had struck her painfully in the chest, but her smile didn't even waver.
She knew it was going to be hard, Hanabi was the type who isolated herself from everybody else and shut away her feelings; much like her father and her cousin a few years back.
She never had the care and love of a mother, and that brought sadness to Hinata's heart.
She never felt hatred or anger towards her younger sister, she just felt sympathy and overwhelming love for her despite their rivalry.
When they were younger, Hinata felt that it would be best if she stayed away. But now she realized how foolish she had been.
"I'll leave you to train after I make you some tea." Hinata smiled as she gestured Hanabi to follow her.
Hanabi was her younger sister and she needed to protect her no matter what. That's how she felt like.
She wanted to be her friend; she wanted to be there for her like how her mother had been there for her when she was alive.
Hanabi never had that in her life; she refused to open up to anybody because of that. Hinata should have realized this years ago. It was her fault Hanabi had ended up like this, but she was going to fix it.
Hinata left for the kitchen and Hanabi soon followed scowling at the back of her elder sister as she shoved her scrawny hands in to her pockets.
Hanabi pulled out a chair from the dining table and plopped on to it gracelessly.
Hanabi and Hinata were polar opposites; that was what was in the younger one's mind as she watched her sister brew a cup of honey lemon tea which she happened to like a lot.
Her sister was trying too hard to please her.
But if it meant having delicious tea every now and again she didn't particularly mind it.
"So how are things going at the academy?"
Small talk, she didn't quite appreciate.
"It's fine."
Hinata frowned slightly at her short reply, but it was progress.
"Ah. I wonder how it feels to be you sometimes," Hinata giggled as she thought back during her academy days she was what people referred to as 'dead last'. She and Naruto both.
"I was never at the top of the class. You're really amazing, Hanabi-Chan." She smiled.
Hanabi looked at her lazily, with her chin resting on her palm.
"Are you jealous?" The girl narrowed her eyes observing her elder sister.
"Of course not." Hinata said as she poured the steaming hot tea in to a cup. Her hair had draped her face, hiding her facial expression which agitated the younger one.
Hinata stood up straight, looking at her with her hands clasped behind her with her usual warm smile.
"I am proud of you Hanabi-Chan. I always knew you had extraordinary talent."
Hanabi's eyes widened. Her body completely froze and her eyes began to sting because she hadn't blinked for a few long moments.
Finally as Hinata began stirring her tea and was about to bring it to the table, Hanabi jumped out of the chair and approached her sister.
Hinata turned, blinking slightly confused.
She watched as Hanabi came closer never once making eye contact.
Her younger sister was right beside her, facing the counter as Hinata continued to stare.
The silence was deafening.
"Stop it." Hanabi said shakily.
"Just stop it." She said, almost a whisper this time as she grabbed the hot cup ignoring the burning heat and left swiftly.
Hinata was left alone in the kitchen with a solemn smile curved on her trembling lips.
She brought a hand to her mouth as tears began to gather at the edge of her lids, threatening to spill out.
She inhaled and exhaled, and closed her eyes as she tried to even out her breathing.
Would her sister ever know how much she meant to her?
"Soon there will be a line up of missions coming." Fugaku sighed.
"And you'll regret not spending time with family, Itachi." Fugaku sipped on his tea, never once glancing over at his son. He knew his sons never appreciated kite flying as much as he did and he'd be lying if he said that he was okay with it.
I mean how can someone not like kite flying?!
Fugaku suppressed a groan and tried to focus on his newspaper.
Itachi was busy preparing for his mission tomorrow, not paying any mind to his obviously uneasy father. Fugaku always knew that Itachi was never the 'family' type.
He didn't know how to express the love he had for his family and was often branded as someone who didn't care for family ties.
On the contrary to popular belief; above all else, family was most important in Itachi's life.
He would gladly forfeit his life for his family and wouldn't hesitate to kill for them.
Though he did sometimes feel a little annoyed with his father's olden day mentality.
He was too grounded to his clan, too narrow minded. Even as a child, Itachi had always been true to his village. He knew that fanatics like his father would brew up trouble just because of their pride.
Before being an Uchiha, he was a Konoha-nin.
Though not many Uchiha shared his point of view except Shisui, one of the many reasons why they bonded almost instantly.
"I met Amane-Chan's father yesterday."
Itachi inwardly sighed. This can't be good.
"He told me that Amane-Chan wants to join the ANBU." Itachi didn't miss the smirk on his father's face. It was very evident. The man chuckled; a little disturbingly causing his son to stare at him warily.
"Do you um, happen to know why she had sudden interest?" Fugaku's lips formed a thin line.
Itachi knew where this was going, but decided to play dumb.
He shrugged as he looped thin wires around his kunai.
"I haven't spoken to her since dinner the other day." Itachi realized that's not really awhile back.
"Ah." Fugaku's features were filled with amusement.
"Her father was quite shocked by the whole thing. Are you?" Fugaku raised a brow.
Itachi sighed. He didn't like where this was going.
"Hn. Amane-san doesn't seem like the type who likes to work in the shadows."
"Tch," Fugaku rested his chin on his palm.
"Nah, Itachi are you really that clueless?" Fugaku scowled.
"The girl obviously wants to get closer to you! I saw the way she looked at you." Fugaku waggled his eyebrows. God Itachi hated it when his father did that.
He sighed out of frustration and got up from the couch.
"I am going to go for a walk."
"Eh? O-Oi! Itachi!"
"I'll be back soon, father."
Fugaku sighed as the door shut.
"Hinata-sama." Neji sighed as he watched his cousin sob and sniff as she struggled to wipe the tears of her face as fast as she could.
She cursed herself for not being able to stop crying.
Everything was going wrong.
At first she had cried because she was so pathetic she couldn't even bond with her sister.
She couldn't even seem appealing to such a young one like her.
She couldn't even show the girl how much she loved her, how much she wanted to be there for her and how much she wished to protect her.
Then she thought about Shisui and the dam broke.
Tears kept spilling out, her cheeks were all wet, her eyes were puffy and her nose was red.
She didn't want to see anybody right now.
"I-I-I am alr—r-ight." She sobbed.
"You certainly don't sound it. Or look it for that matter." He inhaled deeply as he approached her jerking body. He was never one to comfort, he actually never cared about those who needed it either.
But Hinata was different. No matter what, he couldn't bring himself to leave Hinata when she is down.
She tried her best to stop once she felt his hand on her shoulder.
He squeezed gently and lowered his body to look at her.
What had happened?
"Hinata-sama..."
"Hanabi-Ch-Chan..." She blurted out.
Ah, so that's it.
Neji knew about the girl's struggles trying to form a sisterly relationship with her... well younger sister.
It may have sounded weird but, well their past was complicated. Back then Hinata didn't know better. She herself was a struggling child.
Hinata was only five when her mother had died and she had known her mother, loved her so.
When her mother had passed he remembered seeing her cry so bitterly.
Hanabi didn't know her mother; she didn't know anything about a mother's love.
She only knew what was important to her father and worked hard to earn his respect even if that meant going against the only female influence she had in the family since their mother was gone.
The stoic man didn't utter a word of protest when the girl clutched on to his kimono, as if she was hanging on to dear life.
He merely watched as she buried her face into his chest and sobbed.
Only Hinata could do so. He'd let no one else come this close, no one else would even dare to.
"Hinata-sama." He rubbed her back, attempting to calm her down.
"Hanabi-sama will realize your efforts soon. It will take time. Please do not cry so much, you might get sick." His voice was far from comforting, it sounded emotionless and monotone and yet that was already a big deal for a man like Neji.
A lot of people who knew the man would not believe that he would express such concern for someone; especially not his younger cousin whom he had tried to kill a few years back.
Hinata knew this, and felt so grateful that she had his support.
She was very expressive, very emotional nothing like her cousin. But he loved her the way she is.
She was probably the only one in the clan who had a heart.
She was also the only main family member who would ever touch a branch family member such as himself. Hinata's heart was filled with nothing but kindness and love. She'd talk to most of the guards and servants as though she considered them family. She'd even bring tea to the guards outside the gate at times.
He couldn't stand to see her sad.
Reluctantly he held her by the shoulders and pushed her back a little, relieved to see her crying had come to a halt and only silent sobs remained.
She rubbed her eyes with her right hand and wiped the tears off her cheeks with her left.
"T-Thank you Neji-Niisan." She breathed.
Neji blinked, face blank. This made her giggle. Her cousin was so inexpressive it was funny.
His eyes flickered to her tiny hand which was resting on his.
He blinked some more.
"You're really great Neji-Niisan. I don't know... what I would do without you."
Neji furrowed his eyebrows. He always didn't know how to react when his cousin told him things like this. He simply cleared his throat and got on his feet.
Hinata smiled widely, staring up at her cousin. He must feel really uncomfortable right now, she giggled inwardly.
The man smoothed the cloth of his kimono before nodding to Hinata and leaving out the door.
That was quite odd, but usually sentiments were with Neji.
She smiled, feeling more determined than ever. Just a few words from her cousin were enough to get her back on the horse.
He had to get out of his crazy house.
He couldn't stand it sometimes, his father and mother both assuming he had secret relations with Amane. He knew that his parents were just concerned and hoped that he had finally found a worthy girl. His mother would probably be more relieved in the case of confirming that he wasn't a homosexual.
Ever since he was a kid, he didn't mind his parents crafting his future for him.
They didn't even have to try, they'd hint and he'd pick up the pieces doing as they pleased.
He didn't mind them making him run errands for them, he didn't mind them butting in his shinobi life and he didn't mind them prying in his friendship with Hinata.
But this was something he couldn't allow. Maybe if he hadn't met Hinata he would have let them arrange his marriage as well, but now he wouldn't be able to go through with it.
He can't let her go.
He walked, trying his best not to stomp in public and retaining his cool composure.
He breathed deeply as he walked aimlessly not even focusing on which direction he had been treading in.
He stopped after awhile, feeling of familiarity dawned on him.
He was right in front of Shisui's house.
Itachi stared for awhile before shrugging. He'd do anything to get away from the house for awhile and besides Shisui is going to come with him to the training ground later on. Might as well drag him for a walk or maybe a spar before they meet up with Hinata.
He rang the door bell and waited patiently.
He didn't usually visit his friend's house. He usually waited for Shisui to come to him, afraid that he might be interrupting something.
He was surprised to see Kagami at door as it flung open, though he didn't show it.
"Eh? Itachi my boy! What are you doing here?" Kagami scratched his head.
"Excuse me for coming unannounced,"
"Oh, not at all boy!" Kagami waved his words off.
"I just came to invite Shisui for a walk."
Kagami shot him a quizzical look.
Itachi raised a brow.
Itachi almost jerked back as he felt Kagami's hand on his forehead.
Instead he merely stared at the man, wondering about his sanity.
"Are you okay Itachi?" Kagami laughed.
Itachi blinked. Suddenly, realization dawned on the older man. He gave a concerned look to Itachi before continuing.
"Shisui didn't tell you?" Kagami asked a lower tone of voice this time.
"Tell me what?"
His footsteps sounded like light thumps on the grass.
He was still a bit well, shocked.
His eyes fixated on the girl sitting on the bench ahead of him.
She must have sensed his presence then because she had flinched slightly and looked down at her lap.
He tilted his head in intrigue before breathing out a sigh.
Ah, she must be angry about yesterday...
He stopped in front of the girl waiting for her to react in some way.
But her head was still down, staring at her lap as she played with the fabric of her loose pants.
"Hinata."
His voice sent shivers down her spine. Just hearing his voice was enough to get her to blush.
She bit her lip as he kneeled down to look at her.
Thankfully, her long dark hair hid her features. He sighed.
"Hinata..."
Was it her or did he sound slightly pleading?
She gasped and tried to pull away as she felt his slender fingers grasp her chin, slowly tilting her face up.
Itachi's eyes sported a dark gleam that made her breath hitch.
"Did I do this?" he asked this time in a low voice.
Hinata furrowed her eyebrows and kept silent. What did he mean?
Her eyes widened as she realized what he was talking about and she shook her head rapidly.
"N-No!"
His hand had left her chin and she felt like she could breath easily again.
"What happened?"
Hinata kept silent, eyes wandering around the training ground avoiding his eyes.
"Hinata."
She flinched. Why was his voice so... so...
She gulped.
She felt like he could hypnotize her and control her with that husky voice of his.
She blushed at the thought for some reason.
"I-I... well..."
Her features slowly turning solemn.
Itachi narrowed his eyes slightly, then he remembered; Shisui had wanted to talk to her privately yesterday night.
"Is it Shisui?"
A few silent moments passed before the girl nodded.
"Ah..."
Itachi didn't know how to react to that. His best friend had told Hinata about his leave, but didn't bother to tell him. His two year mission explained the looks he was giving her yesterday; he wouldn't be spending time with the girl for a long time, but still... it didn't explain why he would only tell
Hinata. After all, Itachi was practically the man's diary.
There wasn't one secret of his that Itachi didn't know about.
Maybe he was still angry at him for deceiving the Hyuuga.
Speaking of which...
"Hinata," the girl looked at him through her lashes.
"Are you angry at me?" Hinata shot up, and furrowed her eyebrows at his sudden question.
Why would she be angry at him?
As if he could read her mind, he smirked as he got up to sit beside her. For some reason, Hinata felt immensely happy as he sat close to her.
Even though it had always made her blush with him this close, she loved his warmth.
She had been quite upset yesterday when he had avoided her for some reason, but as long as she knew he wasn't repelled by her she was fine.
His knee was pressed slightly against her thigh, Itachi decided to just leave it be.
Hinata didn't seem to mind, although her usual blush was to be expected. No matter how comfortable she was with someone, she would never lose that blush once it came to close proximity.
"Are you upset?" Hinata cocked her head to the back before smiling with her brows raised.
"You seem to be awfully concerned about how I am feeling today, Itachi-kun." There was a slight curve on his lips, but it quickly disappeared, which was slightly disappointing for Hinata.
"A lot is happening. As a friend, naturally I am worried."
Yes, as a friend for now.
"Mm..." Hinata nibbled on her lower lip and Itachi couldn't help but stare.
He shouldn't. He really shouldn't. Not so innocent thoughts were coming to mind and they were best left aside.
But he couldn't help but wonder how she'd respond to him nibbling on her lower lip and sliding his -
Itachi cleared his throat. This girl, was very distracting.
Hinata flinched at the sound and shot Itachi a confused look.
Itachi ignored it.
"You must miss Shisui a lot."
"Mm." The girl nodded. She turned to look at the Uchiha beside her.
"He is a really great friend... most of the time." She giggled as Itachi 'Hmph'-ed.
"You must miss him a lot too."
"Hn. But I am sure that you'd miss him more."
"Oh?" Hinata tilted her head.
"Why is that?"
"Because the two of you are very close." Itachi closed his eyes, ignoring his growing jealousy.
"You seem to like him a lot." Itachi was trying his best to tease, but didn't like the idea of using Shisui.
"I-I" She gasped.
Her reaction did not make him feel good.
"I-I am just as close with him as I am with y-you."
Itachi folded his arms. This should be interesting.
"And I like him just as much as I like you." She swallowed.
This was not comfortable at all for the girl, especially since her Uchiha friend was smirking ever so slightly.
"Hn."
"W-What?"
"I can't seem to understand Hinata."
Itachi shrugged. She was sure he is playing with her right now.
"Please explain, what is it that you like about me?"
Itachi wasn't sure why he had asked the question. Maybe it was because he genuinely wanted to know what traits he possessed that the girl liked.
The girl's silence made him anxious, but he didn't wish to press the girl.
It was a stupid question anyways he should just -
"Well..." Hinata played with her sleeves.
Itachi sat still patiently and eagerly awaiting her answer.
"I-I- "He took note of how her blush deepened.
"I like y-your hair and your eyes, your rare s-smiles." She swallowed.
Itachi did his best in concealing his growing amusement.
"I like the way you fight and your v-voice." She blushed even deeper and the Uchiha didn't think it was possible.
Hinata had no control over herself. Now she was just spouting out everything that came to mind.
She hadn't even realized she had liked so much about him.
She started to feel a little... different.
"I l-like the way you talk even though you sound like a r-robot sometimes," she giggled as he grunted.
"And..." She seemed a bit hesitant.
"I l-like the way you treat people, the way you t-treat me..." the last part was said in almost a whisper.
Itachi's chest clenched. He continued to watch her, nervously trying to end her misery.
He watched her, and he felt like he could all day.
"I-I don't know..." she finally spoke after awhile.
"I feel n-nice around you... s-safe. I just like you." She froze. She turned to the Uchiha beside her and gasped.
"N-N-No! I d-didn't mean to – "
Looking at him now... made her feel unbearably hot inside.
"Hinata," he said hoarsely, in attempt to calm her down he leaned closer trying to put a hand on her shoulder.
She inhaled deeply as he leaned, her hand searching and grabbing tightly on to whatever it could find.
"I-Itachi-kun." She panted, feeling out of breath.
Itachi repressed a groan, both his fists clenching.
He was a man of self control. He was a man of self control. He was a man of self control.
He felt her hand gripping his clothed thigh, and yet he could feel the pressure of her nails digging into his flesh even though it wasn't exposed.
It felt... It made him feel...
"Hinata." He warned, coldly.
Making the girl gasp and snap her hand away.
"S-Sorry!"
Itachi shook his head as he slowly slid further away, it is dangerous for both of them to be sitting so close.
"It's fine." His voice low.
Hinata wanted to die. Her heart was pounding, her temperature was rising she felt like she was going to hyperventilate.
Itachi must hate her right now. She practically pierced through his skin.
She felt so embarrassed.
All she wanted to do right now was bury her face in her palms and cry out of embarrassment.
Itachi was calming his nerves, cursing himself for having such despicable thoughts.
He was lusting for a teenage girl, an innocent young teenage girl who sees him as a friend and has probably never touched a man intimately before in her life.
And yet why did it feel like she deliberately wanted to turn him on back there?
He shook his head. He disgusted himself.
Liking her was one thing, lusting for her was just...
"I-Itachi-kun." Hinata gathered all her courage just to utter his name.
"Hn." He didn't not look at her, and neither did she look at him.
"I want to ask you something..."
"Hn."
Anything right now would be good.
"I-It's about Sasuke."
Except for that.