Firstly, I am deeply sorry that it has been more than half a year since I last updated. It's been such a long ride emotionally and physically since the last time I updated to this point now.

Thank you to all the people who still read this and are interested. I'm so thankful.

Believe it or not, this chapter took me months to write. It was frustrating and tiring but I'm glad that I'm getting back into the groove. It's a short chapter as I have been struggling with many things and even the worst - writers block.

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 18:

Sasuke's jaw tightened the moment Naruto had discovered his dilemma. It seemed foolish that he was unable to ask a woman out. At a young age Sasuke had been deemed a prodigy. He was talented, smart and through the years his prowess had grown significantly. It would only take the mere mention of his name to strike fear within his enemies. There were even some who were frightened the moment Sasuke would activate his mismatching eyes. Yet, when it came to Hinata, it was he whom was frightened. The idea of Hinata and himself in a relationship perplexed him to his core. Sasuke was simply confused inH

dumdudddon how to go about it all. He had no experience when it came to women. It had always been the women attempting to woo Sasuke. Now, the tables had turned. Sasuke wanted Hinata's attention. He wanted it all. She was enticing and never had he ever felt this way about a woman. It had been difficult for Sasuke to pinpoint how much Hinata had really felt for him. The way she behaved around him was different from the way Hinata behaved around Naruto. It was this difference which would send Sasuke's mind into chaos. After last night though, Sasuke was positive that Hinata's feelings towards him were pure. He doubted it in the earlier stages because he was aware that she was still healing with the ordeal with Naruto. He doubted it because her mannerisms that he witnessed when she was in love with Naruto did not appear when she spent time with him. It was his doubt that held him back from kissing her for so long. He had to be sure that Hinata wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her. It's her or no one.

"Hello? Earth to Sasuke?" Naruto asked as he waved his hands in front of Sasuke's eyes.

Sasuke blinked, coming back to his senses. He picked up his cup of coffee, drinking it until the cup was empty.

"Are you really okay with it?" Sasuke asked as he placed his cup back down on the table.

Naruto smiled and leaned back into his chair.

"Truthfully, I've always wanted to see this side of you more than anything else."

"Tch. You really like getting into my business don't you?" Sasuke asked with a slight smile.

"You're my brother, dattebayo! I'll always be sticking my nose into your business," Naruto teased.

"Aa. Is it necessary this time though?" He asked.

Naruto smiled as he scratched his cheek. He laughed to himself and then sat up. Naruto leaned forward into the table with his elbows resting against it.

"Sasuke, knowing Hinata she won't mind how you ask her out. You probably can't see it. But the way she looks at you, it's the way she used to look at me. So don't worry too much, ne?"

Sasuke closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

Thank you, Naruto.

Xxx

Hanabi giggled to herself as she walked out of a particular store with a bag of shopping that contained a present for Hinata. Tomorrow, it would be her Onee-san's 20th birthday. The Hyuga clan were planning a big celebration of course. Hanabi had checked the guest list numerous of times and had seen all of her sister's friends in attendance except for one name.

Uchiha Sasuke

He had been absent for some time due to a mission, so she had heard from Hinata. It was probably the reason why he his name was not down on the list of attendants. Even so though, Hanabi thought it was only right that her Onee-san's boyfriend should attend as well. Suddenly, Hanabi stopped in her tracks and gasped.

What if he doesn't know its Hinata's birthday tomorrow?

Hanabi shook her head. No, I'm sure he knows. He would be a bigger idiot than Naruto-kun to not know its Hinata's birthday tomorrow.

With that thought in mind, Hanabi happily continued to make her way home. That was until she spotted Sasuke coming out of a café with Naruto.

"Uchiha-san!" She exclaimed without thinking.

Hanabi ran over to them, bowed and greeted Naruto and Sasuke.

"Ne, Hanabi-chan, why do you look so overly happy seeing Sasuke? I thought I was your favourite," Naruto teased with a pout.

Hanabi smirked, "Who ever said you were my favourite person?"

She heard Sasuke click his tongue before he spoke.

"Enough with this senseless chat. What do you need Hanabi?" Sasuke asked monotonously.

Hanabi frowned. It was in moments like these, she wondered what her sister saw in Sasuke. Sometimes he seemed so dull.

"Do you never use honorifics for anyone?" She asked.

"It's a waste of my time," Sasuke said dryly.

Hanabi raised her eyebrow, "It shows respect Uchiha-san."

"Aa. So what?"

Hanabi gritted her teeth. Before she could retort, Naruto flicked her on the forehead.

"Sasuke's just teasing you Hanabi-chan. What did you need?" Naruto asked, changing the subject.

Hanabi sighed and crossed her arms. "Never mind. Talking with Uchiha-san has made me realise how much time I've wasted… By the way you better be there tomorrow night Sasuke or else."

She turned on her heels before she could hear a response from the two of them. Little did she know, Sasuke was thoroughly confused on Hanabi's little threat regarding tomorrow night. If Hanabi had stayed long, she would have heard the question she dreaded to hear.

"What's tomorrow night?"

Xx

Hinata sat in the chair, sitting up straight and firm. The maids worked on her as if she was an exquisite piece of art. One maid worked on her feet, scrubbing and cleaning them. Hinata had to keep herself from letting out a giggle. Little did anyone know – excluding Hanabi and Naruto – Hinata was quite ticklish when it came to her feet. Another maid was giving her a manicure. Filing her nails until the shape was to the uttermost perfection.

"Hinata-sama," the maid giving her a pedicure called out, "what colour shall I paint your toes?"

Hinata pursued her lips, "Hm. I suppose a colour that would match my yukata?"

Hinata turned her head to the two other maids who had a rack set out with the finest yukata's the Hyuga clan could get their hands on. She had still yet to choose which yukata she would wear for tomorrow night.

"Hinata-sama, we've selected the following yukata's based on your preferences and style. The elders have also agreed with the following selections. The final decision will be yours, Hinata-sama."

Hinata nodded, eyeing each yukata thoroughly. Her normal colour scheme involved purple or lavender colours. However, for tomorrow night she wanted it to be a little different. Hinata had four choices. There was a red, blue, lavender and a white yukata. She pursed her lips, unsure of which yukata should she choose. Hinata had worn red and lavender yukata's previously for such events already. So she was left with the either the choice between the blue or the white yukata.

I don't really like the colour of dark blue on myself…

"May I see the white yukata?" Hinata asked.

"Certainly, Hinata-sama," the maids said.

One of the maids took it off the rack and held it out for Hinata to see. Hinata eyed the yukata up and down, taking in all the detail the yukata had to offer. She could tell it was made of the finest silk available. The pattern above the hem of the yukata was quite simple but magnificent at the same time. There was light shade of pink where some flowers were beautifully sewn to decorate the yukata. The roots of the flowers were white and travelled around the hem of the yukata.

Hinata smiled, "This is the one."

"Then, shall we paint your nails a light shade of pink, Hinata-sama? It will match well with Hinata-sama's yukata," the maid giving her a manicure suggested.

"Yes, I'd like that," Hinata agreed.

Xxxx

"Huh!?" Naruto exclaimed, "You didn't know it was Hinata's – "

Sasuke clamped Naruto's mouth shut with his hand before anyone else could hear. He instantly regretted the decision when he felt Naruto lick his hand and the disgusting feeling of slobber on his hand. Sasuke gritted his teeth, immediately removing his hand from Naruto's mouth.

"No need to shout Naruto… I just never got round to asking her," Sasuke explained.

Naruto shook his head, "Teme, you must be an even bigger idiot than me."

"That's the last thing I ever want to hear from your mouth," Sasuke retorted.

Sasuke sighed, he had less than a day to get a present for Hinata. Moreover, he had no idea exactly what to get her. Naruto patted Sasuke on the shoulder, nodding his head in a contemplative manner.

"Don't worry Sasuke, you'll think of something good. Use that brain of yours for something romantic."

Sasuke raised his eyebrow, as he turned to face Naruto. Romantic?

Naruto simply grinned, "You heard me Sasuke, romantic."

Xxx

Hinata yawned, placing the scroll she was reading down on the table. She raised her arms above her head, joined her hands together and stretched. It had been a long day for Hinata. Besides being pampered for her birthday tomorrow, Hinata still had to attend to her duties as the Head. Hinata let her arms fall back down to her sides, letting out a sigh. She blinked a few times as she stared at the pile of scrolls beside her. Somehow, she had managed to read all of the scrolls. Majority of the scrolls where necessary to read. They included the management of the Hyuga household, the funds, the dealings and such that were made. The other scrolls where mainly background information on the people or clans the Hyuga's deal with or general knowledge that piped Hinata's interest. Hinata found knowledge to be just as powerful as brute strength. Thus, she built on her knowledge consistently.
Hinata smiled, proud of what she had accomplished today. She stood up and made her way to her dressing table. Hinata undid her hair from a bun, letting it fall. She brushed through her hair with a brush and with her fingers. Hinata blinked a few times as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Is that a shadow of a person on my window? Hinata turned to face the window. She pursued her lips. There's nothing but the trees…Must be my imagination. Hinata sighed, thinking perhaps she had overworked herself today. She turned back towards the mirror, continuing her process of brushing. Her eyes popped as she saw the shadow again in the mirror. Hinata spun around quickly to catch whoever it was sneaking around her window.

"Sasuke!?" She exclaimed quietly as he opened her window and climbed right inside to her room.

Sasuke ran his hand through his hair shaking the snow off. He looked up at Hinata, giving her a warm smile.

"You should lock your window Hinata."

Hinata smiled, she placed her brush down and walked over to Sasuke. Sasuke towered over her so much that when she looked up all her focus was on him. He tilted his head to look down towards her. Hinata wrapped her arms around his waist, burying herself into his chest as much as she could. Sasuke slowly lifted his arms behind her, gently placing them on her back.

"Tomorrow, will you make some time for me?" Sasuke whispered.

"I suppose that would be possible," she replied, "what do you have in mind?"

"Tomorrow night, just wait and I'll give you the signal. You'll know what it is at the time."

"Okay."

Sasuke and Hinata stepped apart from one another. Hinata grabbed Sasuke's hand and lead him towards her bed. They sat beside one another, whilst Hinata massaged his hand.

"Ne, Sasuke. Don't you feel lonely at night?"

"Why do you think I come here?"

Hinata pursued her lips at his reply. Sasuke smirked, giving her hands a squeeze.

"Being lonely was something I adapted to. Yet, after getting to know you it became quite annoying," he confessed.

"I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult," she teased.

Sasuke continued to play with Hinata's hands, "You've become a bad habit Hyuga Hinata."

"Nani?"

Sasuke stopped fiddling with her hands. She looked at Sasuke in the eyes, tilting her head at him. He looked back at her with such passion radiating through his black eyes. Hinata leaned forward, keeping her eyes glued to his.

"It's just like mine," she noted as she peered into his eyes, "I can't see your iris."

"Hn."

She smiled as Sasuke's eyes changed to a sharigan and rinnegan. She brought one hand to caress Sasuke's cheek. He leaned into it, whilst continuing to gaze at her.

"These eyes as well," she nodded her head, "they are just as remarkable and beautiful."

She felt Sasuke chuckle slightly. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against hers. Their foreheads resting against one another.

"I've never had anyone call them that. You're quite strange Hinata… I'm glad."

xxx

Thanks for reading! Not sure when I'll be able to update next since I'm starting university in a few weeks but stay tuned! I will see this story to its end.