Chapter 9:
So I've had quite a few reviews freaking about their relationship being rushed. Moreover, that both Hinata and Sasuke are cruel to Naruto, especially Sasuke since he knows the truth now.
First of all, it was not my intention to rush their relationship but both of them are attracted to one another. It would be realistic for Sasuke to have a lot of sexual tension, so it makes sense how he acts around Hinata. Furthermore, Hinata naturally still has feelings for Naruto BUT it has been almost half a year. She's changed and so have her feelings. It is not as if Hinata is drastically throwing herself at Sasuke. That will not happen.
I think that's all I had to clarify.
On another note, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEWS, FOLLOWS AND FAVOURITES! It really does make me happy.
This was an interesting chapter to write, hope you all enjoy. It's a short chapter, sorry I've been quite busy.
Hinata felt her heartbeat accelerate as she felt Sasuke's hot breathe on her. He's so close. She felt flushed and nervous. Somehow, Sasuke had remained stoic. His eyes were locked on hers.
She could not take it anymore. As his dark eyes pierced through her, she felt the emotions of bitterness, desire and sympathy all directed towards her. Swiftly, she placed her palm over his mouth, attempting to push Sasuke away from her. Hinata panicked as she heard footsteps approaching. She paused and glanced to her door, biting her lip. Who could it be?
"Nani? Onee-san is talking with Uchiha-san right now? That's strange," Hinata listened to Hanabi's footsteps die out as what Hinata assumed Hanabi turning the corner of the hallway, "I'll talk to onee-san later then."
Hinata let out a sigh of relief once Hanabi had left. She did not want anyone to be in the room whilst she was talking to Sasuke. Somehow, he had always managed to stir up her composure. He consistently surprised her, it was infuriating to Hinata. It was the reason she had specifically chosen to talk to Sasuke in her private quarters. By doing so, none of the servants could pop in and spy on them. Hinata had a feeling that a few of the servants would report to the elders anything they discovered about Hinata and Sasuke's relationship.
Wait. Are we even friends? What is the relationship between Sasuke and myself? I always say its acquaintances but –
Hinata's thoughts trailed off as she felt Sasuke pull her hair. She winced at the pain. Hinata removed her hand from his lips as she narrowed her eyes at him. At the same time, Sasuke let go of her hair and leaned in towards her ear.
"This won't ever happen again."
Hinata nodded her head, agreeing with Sasuke. Hinata easily came to a conclusion – Sasuke was attractive but she was not interested. She had no time for relationships. After everything with Naruto, Hinata wanted to focus on herself. Besides, she was positive that whatever was going on between them was nothing. They were after all, practically strangers to one another.
Sasuke sat back and turned his head away from her eyes, looking out at the window.
"There's no need for Naruto to know. The two of you already have enough shit to deal with between one another."
"I understand Uchiha-san. There is nothing to discuss. We are merely acquaintances that have nothing to do with another."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her, "I thought I told you to call me Sasuke."
"It is impolite to call a stranger by their first name."
"Is that so?"
Hinata nodded and she tensed as she saw Sasuke smirk.
"I guess you're right. After all, you mean nothing to me Hyuga."
Hinata titled her head down and gripped her yukata. She shot her head back up quickly, looking at him with a fake smile.
"I'm glad we feel the same way."
xx
After Sasuke had left, Hinata had returned back to her quarters, ignoring the nosey servants and their pestering questions. She stripped off her yukata and began to run herself a bath. Using her fingers, Hinata brushed through her hair as she waited for her bath. Once it was done, she removed her underwear and sunk herself in the bubbly, warm water.
She blushed as she ran her fingers across her neck. The tingling sensation she had felt from when Sasuke had kissed her neck was still there.
She wondered if he had known about her and Naruto. Of course he knows, why else would he come to apologise?
Hinata closed her eyes, recalling the day of the Hinami festival. After apologising to Naruto about not being able to return his feelings anymore. He had asked her if it was okay for him to tell Team 7. Hinata of course allowed it. These past months she had felt isolated and terrified. It took her awhile to realise that she had isolated herself from the world. Her fears and anxieties stemmed from having no support besides Naruto and Tsunade. However, she had foolishly blocked both of them out of her lives.
I'm so stupid.
Hinata sighed and closed her eyes. Slowly, she began to drift off into slumber.
Xx
"Onee-san, wake up!"
Hinata opened her eyes to find black tresses tickling her face.
Hanabi removed herself away from Hinata and took a step back from Hinata's bath.
"Hanabi-chan?" Hinata yawned and rubbed her eyes. Her neck had felt stiff from falling asleep. She looked at her hands, they were wrinkly.
"Congratulations!"
"Hm, for what?" Hinata questioned.
"For getting rid of the branch seal! I knew you could do it."
Hanabi turned around to grab a towel for Hinata and handed it back to her. "By the way, Ino-chan and Kiba-kun are here to visit."
"Oh, Arigato. " She took the towel from her sister and stood up, drying herself up.
"Please tell them I'll be with them in a moment."
Hanabi nodded and then smirked, "Hey onee-san, what was Uchiha-san doing here? In your private quarters as well hmm…"
Hinata poked her tongue at her sister, "Are you jealous?"
Hanabi blushed and crossed her arms, turning her head away from Hinata. "Why would I – "
She stopped as she heard Hinata giggling. Hinata ruffled Hanabi's hair, "Business reasons, don't worry."
Hanabi mumbled, "You say not to worry but I'll still worry."
Hinata smiled, "Arigato for worrying but I'd prefer if you focused on yourself."
Hanabi rolled her eyes and left the room, allowing Hinata to dress up. She quickly ran to her room and began to find clothes to wear. She quickly put on her underwear and pulled out a long skirt and singlet from her draw. Once putting them on, she grabbed her brush and began brushing her hair as she walked towards her door. She glanced at the mirror quickly and breathed in and out. Placing her brush down on the table, Hinata left to finally go greet Ino and Kiba.
Hinata smiled warmly as she saw Kiba and Ino in the distance. They were sitting together on one of the couches, chatting idly to Hanabi. She was glad Kiba had finally found someone. Hinata had never been close to Ino in the past, but she always thought that Ino was wonderful. It wasn't until they were teenagers did Hinata begin to talk to Ino more. She was glad that two of her friends had found love with each other.
As if smelling her presence, Akamaru barked and both Kiba and Ino turned their heads to face her.
"Hinata-chan!" They both called out. She giggled as she watched the couple glare at one another. Ino poked her tongue out at Kiba and stood up to hug Hinata first. Hinata returned the hug.
"Hello Ino-chan, Kiba-kun and Akamaru, it's good to see you three."
Ino smiled, "It has been awhile ne? Even at the Hinami festival we hardly saw you but –"
Ino was shushed as Kiba yanked her arm, causing her to stumble into his chest. He grinned and then sauntered his way over to Hinata, placing an arm over her shoulder.
"Ne, Hinata-chan. How about coming for lunch with us at Kurenai-sensei's? Shino, Shikamaru and Choji will be there as well."
Hinata beamed, "I'd like that."
She was content walking beside Ino, who was happily telling her how Kiba had surprised her with flowers the other day. Kiba blushed and crossed his arms, mumbling that Ino could never keep her mouth shut. Ino had responded by pulling his ear, until Kiba had apologised. Hinata giggled at their playfulness. Akamaru, whom seemed used to it, barked happily as he trotted beside her.
"Say Hinata-chan, I didn't know you and Sasuke-kun were friends."
Hinata opened her mouth to answer but closed it immediately. Hinata was unable to come up with a reasonable response.
Kiba nodded his head and said, "Yeah, that's right. We came to yours earlier and Sasuke was there. After the guards told us you were unavailable he refused to leave. From what Akamaru and I could smell it smells like he only just left recently too."
Hinata frowned, "We're just acquaintances."
Kiba narrowed his eyes, "Strangers don't wait hours just for someone."
She blushed and she cursed herself for allowing herself to blush. From the corner of her eyes she saw Kiba and Ino be taken aback by her reddened cheeks.
"Hinata-chan… you're not…" Ino trailed off and stared at Hinata uneasily.
Hinata's eyes widened. She shook her heard aggressively. Denying all of the accusations the two of them seemed to hold.
"No – no – it's not – No," she paused, trying to compose herself, "he came for business reasons. After the attack from Pein, the Hyuga's took care of the Uchiha estate. There were some papers he needed."
Kiba and Ino nodded understandingly. Hinata breathed a sigh of relief as she dodged that bullet. It's not as if I'm lying. The Hyuga's did look after the estate. He'll be coming one day to ask for the papers.
"Sorry Hinata-chan for assuming something so morbid. It's not like you would ever be interested in Sasuke-kun anyway. Besides, he and Naruto are like brothers. That'd be a bit weird and rude to Naruto."
Hinata immediately felt the guilt rise up in her chest. It was as if she had cheated on Naruto. Which, she had to remind herself numerous times was untrue. They were not together. Hinata wondered if Sasuke had felt the same way. This feeling of despair gnawing at her stomach and forcing her to be at a loss of words. She hated this feeling. She hated feeling as if she had betrayed Naruto. Surely, Sasuke feels the same way. After all, Naruto is precious to him as well.
"There's also Sakura to think about as well," Kiba added.
Ino nodded, "She's still in love with Sasuke-kun, even though that jerk rejected her."
Hinata felt even worse. Sakura was a friend. Friends do not kiss the person they're in love with. It was because she understood how much Sakura was in love with Sasuke that she had felt horrible.
"I understand Sakura's feelings," she muttered. It was mainly to herself but Kiba and Ino had both overheard her.
Kiba looked at her with a worried expression, "Hinata-chan… are you still –"
"Of course," she answered quietly. Hinata pushed a strand of her behind her ear and took a deep breath in.
"There will always be a small spot in my heart that will love Naruto-kun."
"Then why did you break up with him?"
Hinata frowned, "At first, I always thought I was doing him a favour. But I realise now that was an excuse. I'm not the same person who fell in love with him. As I began to change as a person, I also grew out of my love for Naruto-kun. I'm not sure if that makes sense but our paths can no longer intertwine in the way we had always imagined in the beginning… The end of our roads are just too different."
Kiba scratched his cheek, "I don't really understand Hinata-chan but I'll support whatever decision you make."
Ino smiled at her, "I'll always be here for you as well."
Hinata beamed, "Arigato."
Xxx
Hinata dropped onto Kureani's sofa, letting a soft groan. Hinata had forgotten how irresistible her sensei's cooking could be. She had eaten way too much. Moreover, Mirai, Kureani's daughter, had insisted that they also eat dessert – chocolate ice cream.
At first Hinata had denied, she had one too many servings of lunch. Yet, Mirai was saddened by the thought that Hinata could not join everyone with eating chocolate ice cream. The poor girl was almost on the verge of tears that Hinata had given in. It had not helped that Hinata had a sweet tooth for chocolate ice cream and could not resist the puppy dog eyes from the toddler.
I feel sick.
Choji had sat beside her and patted his belly. "That was amazing."
Hinata nodded, "Way too amazing." That I ate so much!
"So how's being the clan head? Paps wants me to take over in a few years, so you know I wondered if you could give any tips on running a clan."
Hinata blushed, "You really want advice from me?"
Choji grinned, nodding enthusiastically.
"Well – Let's see," Hinata tapped her chin, thinking about what to say. "I'm not sure what to say Choji-kun. It is a busy job though. Since we're from different clans, certain procedures and what not are probably structured differently. For example, I am not permitted to go on missions but I'm aware that your Otousan used to go on missions."
"I see what you mean... anything else Hinata-chan?"
Hinata bit her lip, "I'm not sure what else to say. I haven't accomplished a lot –"
"I'm sure abolishing the branch seal is quite an accomplishment," Shikamaru said as he walked in to the lounge.
Behind him Kurenai-sensei, Mirai, Kiba, Shino and Ino followed, gasping at Shikamaru revelation.
"Hinata-chan really!?" Kiba exclaimed.
Hinata nodded shyly, "Yes everything was confirmed this morning."
"That's amazing Hinata-chan!" Choji and Ino said simultaneously.
"You never fail to surprise me Hinata-chan." Kurenai said smiling warmly.
Shino nodded, "As always Hinata-chan exceeds the expectations of others."
Hinata felt her cheeks hurt from smiling so long. Even Mirai had gotten excited she joined in the commotion, clapping her hands and giggling.
Hinata glanced towards Shikamaru who grinned. "Your sister came into the Academy and blurted it out to everyone. She was quite proud."
Hinata laughed, "That sounds exactly like Hanabi-chan."
She was glad she had agreed to come. It had been far too long since Hinata had last enjoyed herself with the people she regarded as her second family. She truly did miss this.
Xxx
Four months had passed since she had last spoken to Sasuke. She had avoided him at every possible moment. It had also helped that he was also quite busy on missions and with rebuilding the Uchiha district. However, since he spent a lot of time in the Uchiha district, it also meant he had to walk past the Hyuga compound. Hinata would always use her byakugan to check that he was not nearby whenever she exited the compound. She would also check the training grounds and almost everywhere she would go. Luckily, it seemed like Sasuke was also avoiding her. It was as if they had both silently agreed between the other that the other did not exist.
It was a cold way of dealing with the awkwardness and tension they had but it was the only way. Hinata could not stand losing her composure anymore. For four months she had managed that. All it took was avoiding Sasuke.
Naruto on the other hand, she talked to on occasions. It had been strange at first because Hinata had no idea what to say. However, eventually Hinata had gotten the groove of it and their conversations albeit short, were no longer tense or awkward.
Hinata hummed to herself a happy tune as she entered the supermarket. Hinata had given the day off the servants today. Thus, Hinata had been taking care of the cooking for herself and Hanabi. Hinata made her way to the fruit and vegetable sections, looking for the tomatoes. Hanabi had begged for tomato soup and Hinata had easily complied. She pulled out a plastic bag as she got closer to the tomatoes, there are only two left, perfect! It was exactly the right amount she needed.
Hinata picked up one tomato and placed in her bag. As she went to go pick up the last one, Hinata gasped as another hand overlapped hers suddenly.
She groaned inwardly as she recognised whom it was. Her four lucky months of not coming into contact with Sasuke had ended.
"That's my tomato, Hyuga."
Hinata scowled, "I don't see your name on it Uchiha-san."
xx
I'm really excited for the next chapter, so please review as reviews fuel me to write even more! Haha, thanks for reading xx
