Ice

Chapter Four

"I'm sorry, Neji, that I couldn't make it earlier."

Hinata set down the flowers, then set the candle down next to them. She lit it, watching as the small flame sprouted to life. The rock beneath held Neji's name, and the light made shadows dance.

"I'm doing my best," she said eventually. "I'm trying my hardest to erase the ideas of the main versus branch house. Everyone is just stuck in their ways and it isn't… I can't talk them out of their bitterness. We're not a family, Neji. We're two opposing armies under one roof."

God, how had this even started? Who'd decided that one part of the clan was superior? She didn't remember anymore.

"They… hate each other. Completely. A woman from the clan looked at me and said my name as if I'd killed her child."

She sighed quietly, playing with the flowers until they laid nicely. "I wish you were here to help. It's not been easy. It may not get done even in my lifetime, but if I can at least start it…"

God, the war had taken a toll on everyone. It was getting better, her grasp on the nightmares, but often she'd fall asleep expecting to re-watch her cousin die.

"It's not fair," she said quietly, not talking about the clan dispute anymore. She put her hands to her face, swallowing the tightness in her throat back. Her eyes were watering. "It's not. Why did you have to do that Neji? Why? The clan needs you more than they ever needed me. It's not fair!"

Hinata left the cemetery still wiping tears and trying to be rid of the useless things. They only stung her eyes and made her cheeks itchy. It was a bit later, the sun had just set and taken the little warmth of the day with it.

She crossed her arms, rubbing them, and kept going. She just wanted to go home and sleep a little bit, she was exhausted.

"OI! HINATA!"

Her head jerked up, snapping to attention as she heard the orange-clad, hyperactive ninja. Sakura was following him, giggling and trying to shush him with a slap to his back. "You probably scared her, Naruto!"

Behind them, looming like a rainstorm, was Sasuke and his ever-present escort. He rolled his eyes and said something Hinata couldn't make out, but continued following them.

"Sakura-chan, Naruto-kun," she said simply, bowing in greeting. "S… Sasuke-san."

The nin grinned at her, waving. "Hinata, what're you doing out here?"

"I was…" She considered lying, not wanting to bother the friends while they had their night out, but shrugged the thought off. "I was visiting Neji nii-san's grave."

Naruto's face fell slightly, Sakura lowered her eyes, and Sasuke did nothing of notice.

"… Do you want to join us?" asked the pink-haired kunoichi kindly.

"No, thank you. I'm, um, rather tired," Hinata mumbled apologetically.

"If you're sure," Naruto sighed. "We'll catch you ar-OOOHH!"

Hinata jumped at the random outburst while Sakura face palmed.

"Sasuke-teme! You have to meet Hinata!"

The Uchiha seemed less than bemused and muttered, "I've already met her. She's…"

Naruto let a slow grin cross his face as Sasuke racked his brain. Snickers started and the man looked more and more annoyed with each passing laugh.

"Hyuga… Hyuga Hinata," said the purple-haired girl. "I thanked you, um, after the war."

"See? We've met," said Sasuke, trying to shut his teammate up.

"It's… nice to see you again," murmured Hinata quietly.

"Hn."

He only replied after Sakura gave him the most venomous look she had, and even then it was a very grudging, "You, too."

You people are probably the best. Just sayin'. XD

Thanks for all the reviews and follows, plus some favorites. I know these aren't very long, but, honestly, they're not meant to be. I don't have the talent to write a full-fledged fanfic with only canon characters. This is how I feel SasuHina would've happened, nothing spectacular. I will be adding my own twists when I feel like it, but other than that, it's nothing big.

*Insert shameless self-advertising here* Hey, so, I also write original stuff. My penname for FictionPress/Wattpad is Flurries-of-Magic, where I'm writing a novel called Odisea. It would mean so very much if you'd take a gander.

Enough of that though. Everyone, have a nice day and hope you liked this chappie!