CHAPTER FOUR

"Hey, Hinata."

The dark-haired girl was staring out the window as she held onto her sandwich during lunch break, completely oblivious, almost deaf to anyone calling out to her. She had noticed that the sky was clear and very blue without clouds in sight. It was a beautiful day even when the cold was creeping in since winter was approaching. She also noticed that the leaves turned brown. But, to Hinata, nothing seemed to have any significance nowadays. She had been feeling as if it was summer ever since a certain Uchiha touched her in a way. Because whenever her mind dozed off, she would recall their moment weeks ago, and butterflies would wage war.

"Hinata-"

The Hyūga blinked as if someone yanked her back down to Earth from whichever cloud she was imagining herself on. Kiba had been trying to talk to her when all she did was daydreaming, imagining herself in the arms of a certain someone. Apparently, she had been fighting over who that certain someone was because it had to be Naruto. No excuse. It just had to be Naruto. But why did it make her strive too hard for that to happen?

The girl glanced over to Kiba quickly, "So sorry, Kiba-kun. I totally spaced out. What is it?" She would say, placing her sandwich back into her Tupperware.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah, I am?" The girl would say, her tone turned into a question due to her own confusion. Maybe she spaced out way too long. The male placed his palm on her forehead to check her temperature. "Hm. I thought maybe you weren't feeling well. You've been staring into space a lot these past few weeks." Shino, her other friend, would nod in approval. "I think it would be okay to call in sick today and rest at home."

Hinata didn't understand how they could come up with her being sick, because she certainly wasn't. Her staring-into-space habit started not too long ago when she had trouble trying to justify the actions she was committing with the Uchiha. It had been weeks of intimate contact and Hinata found it harder to imagine herself with Naruto the more she agreed to meet Sasuke. But the universe had something else planned for her when a group of attractive people walked into the cafeteria. She saw Sasuke walking with his usual friends, this time with Neji-nii. It looked like they were talking about tomorrow's school festival.

Right, the festival. She had wondered if she would want to stay around for the party. Hinata was never one to enjoy big gatherings, especially when she had to be among people she didn't really connect with. Sure she had Shino and Kiba. Maybe Temari-senpai, too. And also Sasuke. The thought made her shake her head as if it could replace Sasuke with Naruto. She could also try to hang out with Naruto, right? Maybe she could eventually confess. Or, maybe not...

Hinata also noticed that Naruto was walking closely next to Sakura with Ino talking with the two all the way through. Her boyfriend, Sai, was casually holding Ino's hand and he appeared to not have any interest in whatever they were talking about. Hinata often wondered if she were to be Naruto's girlfriend, would he hold her hand, too? Would she be hanging out with that same crowd? Would she even be able to get along with them?

A person can only imagine too much. Because the moment she thought of Naruto, she would also have Sasuke in her head. She tried so hard to brush it off. The whole reason why she was having these "lessons" with Sasuke was for her to enjoy it with Naruto, not having Sasuke invading her head whenever he pleased. At least that was what she first wanted. However, as days passed by, her connection with the Uchiha became more real than her fantasy of being with Naruto. Exactly in that moment of realization, Hinata noticed how Naruto slipped his hand into Sakura's, and how the pinkette blushed, entwining her fingers with his as a response.

Hinata couldn't believe what she saw. Sasuke was right; if one would be quiet to listen and observe, they'd see things most people do not, and that would be to their advantage. To boast in it was another story, but for Hinata, that observation brought pain. It all said a lot of things, and a pang in her heart was evident. It was too much for her to handle as her thoughts tried all these tactics of "Hate to say I told you so!" statements. It was enough for Hinata to glance at Sasuke as if it could heal that pain. As if he was her saving grace.

Look at me, Sasuke. Please.

No, she couldn't cry because whatever she witnessed wasn't a problem for Hinata. She and Naruto were never really close. They were never really friends. They were never really anything but classmates. Maybe she shouldn't have focused on him too much. Besides, she had Sasuke. He could help her. And she desperately needed him to help her. When the Uchiha glanced at Hinata, he would smirk. Right then and there, she was right; the moment he looked at her, the pain was gone. Hinata smiled at the man. Soon enough, the Uchiha continued to hang around with his group of friends while they all had their lunch.

"Since when are you two noticing each other? You've been hanging out with him a lot lately." Kiba would ask as he observed the group, before glancing at Hinata because to him, she was definitely acting strange.

"Since he walked me home." She said, looking at Sasuke a little longer. It was funny how her outward actions seemed calm and collected while her mind and heart couldn't even comprehend themselves. Hinata decided to pay more attention to her friends. She realized that they were staring at her.

"What?" Hinata asked.

"Nothing. How are you and Naruto progressing?" Asked Kiba.

"Mm, I don't know." Hinata would say as she took a bite of her tuna sandwich. "We're friends."

"Did you get around to confessing?" Kiba grinned, obviously excited for his friend. And that grin would be a forced gesture; Hinata noticed.

"Nope, I haven't really tried. I don't think I want to either. He's always liked Sakura, so…"

"I don't think you should give up that easily, though."

There it was again; people telling her what she had to do. So Naruto was the only passion people saw in her? Had they not seen how her endeavors at anything else were often more important than her confession to the blonde? Were her actions too hopeless-romantic-y that nobody could see anything else she might have been capable of? Was it really only Sasuke who could see her for who she was?

"It's okay, Kiba-kun. Really. Besides, I don't need a boyfriend. I have Sa-" Hinata stopped herself.

She was reminded about how both Sasuke and her never really talked about revealing their 'friendship' to others. Ever since that afternoon, they've been 'fooling' around with each other almost every day. He would come over to her room and they would proceed with their sexual activities. Hinata was still a virgin after three weeks of sexual play. Somehow, Sasuke never initiated full-on intercourse with her. He never even kissed her. Well, she never really asked for intercourse or a kiss before, and to see how Sasuke didn't proceed with something she didn't even mention desiring was very chivalrous of him. But her problem was bigger than that. Now whenever she began thinking about the moments they shared, she would always convince herself that it was for her and Naruto. But who was she fooling, really? That lunch break was evidence that all Naruto could see was Sakura.

Hinata decided that the 'friends-with-benefits' relationship she had with Sasuke should remain a secret.

"S-Salmonella," she continued. She saw both Kiba and Shino tilting their heads as a sign of confusion. "Salmonella is my new stuffed animal." She finally explained.

"Salmonella? You named your stuffed animal after a bacteria?" Shino asked.

"Y-Yes."

"And what animal is it?"

"A whale."

"Cool."

Hinata nodded, trying to convince the two that she was still the same old shy Hyūga. She took another bite of her sandwhich right when she felt her phone vibrating. Her screen lit up to show her that she had received a text message. She picked her phone up, swiped the screen to unlock, and read the message;

Uchiha Sasuke

Text Message

Today 12:30 PM

- You okay?

The Hyūga knew what Sasuke was talking about. Sadly that question made her look at where Naruto was. She saw Sakura resting her head on the blonde's shoulder; it seemed like they were too close. It was unusual. Hinata could feel her heart beating faster as tears began to form. Was she really sad because of their union she had assumed? Or was she said because she might have lost purpose?

Another message.

Uchiha Sasuke

Text Message

Today 12:30 PM

- You okay?

- Don't look.

Just focus on me.

Are you free tonight?

- I bought some things

yesterday. Let's try them out.

Hinata looked up to meet Sasuke's eyes. Once they were locked in gaze, she would nod at the man as a response. A smile would follow when the Uchiha understood her. She saw Sasuke glancing at his phone again, appearing to be texting.

Incoming message.

Uchiha Sasuke

Text Message

Today 12:30 PM

- You okay?

- Don't look.

Just focus on me.

Are you free tonight?

- I bought some things

yesterday. Let's try them out.

Hinata blushed as she wondered what it could be. Did he buy her a present? Very eagerly, the Hyūga sent her portion of a text message. Immediately, Sasuke was typing his response.

Uchiha Sasuke

Text Message

Today 12:30 PM

- You okay?

- Don't look.

Just focus on me.

Are you free tonight?

- I bought some things

yesterday. Let's try them out.

Yes sir. -

- …is typing…

Hinata took another bite off her sandwich, finishing her lunch once and for all. Her eyes were so focused on her phone, that Kiba and Shino had waved her goodbye as they left for class. She could catch them by waving back, saying she would probably see them tomorrow night at the school festival instead of the library. And then her phone vibrated.

Uchiha Sasuke

Text Message

Today 12:30 PM

- You okay?

- Don't look.

Just focus on me.

Are you free tonight?

- I bought some things

yesterday. Let's try them out.

Yes sir. -

- Good girl.

The rest of the day was rather dull. As Hinata sat in class, trying her best to pay attention to History, she let her mind wander off to some thoughts. It was true that after their first sexual encounter, Sasuke had been having lunch with her almost every day. People started to talk and the Uchiha was too smart in brushing off gossip. "She's my project buddy. Chill." He would respond. Some days he wouldn't have lunch with her because of the student council discussions, and that would be days like the one she was having. Sasuke also kept true to his word about being partners in almost every subject's group project. "She isn't noisy like the rest of the women." And if people would ask why he didn't choose to be partners with the male students, he would say, "Nobody's intellectually compatible. Only Neji. But he's in another class." Every time he said something, people believed him. Hinata had no idea how he did it.

That was his attractive trait, too. Sasuke was so in control of everything, even his own emotions. The way he would help her speak when she couldn't come up with the words to convey her emotions, whenever he'd defend her, whenever he would listen… Sasuke was always in control. And in that control, Hinata found release. It wasn't like he was controlling her life. It was more like he could control his own self so that she could express herself.

She, oddly enough to even admit it, found freedom in his being. And she would always wonder if Naruto was the same. Because the Uzumaki was like the shining light and Hinata would always be in his shadow. Even though she wouldn't mind it, it was still different. Sasuke was different.

In the way he touched her, Sasuke would be gentle and firm. Soft and rough. He could make it a perfect mix too sweet for her to bear, and make her yearn for so much more when he pulled away, causing the spaces within her to feel hollow. Hinata hated to admit that he was almost like her savior. Was she being selfish? Was she using Sasuke to forget Naruto all this time? Even so, was it okay to be okay about it?

Hinata also thought about falling in love with the man. Not too long ago, Sasuke had mentioned that he liked her. Even though he said he wasn't serious, she believed him, because out of the blue, he could suddenly ignore her. He could act like the intimacy they both shared was nothing when for her it was everything. Hinata felt like she was always at his mercy and she loved it. Maybe that was why she was okay if it would never grow into something else. Because either way, he was available, and he seemed to want to always be available. And Hinata was the same.

Her feelings got too confusing that she had to rest her head on her desk. Why was being a 17-year-old this hard? She was halfway through high school and the only thing bothering her was her own emotions where it should be college applications.

Right. College.

Just the thought of furthering her studies gave her a headache. Her father wanted her to stay in the same city to study at Konoha University. It was always so that her father decided for her. The Hyūga clan was quite traditional; the men always knew better, therefore, the women should obey and listen. Hinata never really felt resentment toward that ideology, but she didn't like the idea of being forced to do things against her will either. She would certainly be okay with Konoha University if Sasuke would study there, too.

And there it was. If Sasuke would be there… then she would be okay with Konoha University. Because then they could continue doing the things they were already doing.

The school bell rang signaling for students to go home.

Hinata was one to quickly pack her things. Once she was done, she walked out the classroom door while recollecting the homework she still needed to do. Hinata was the type to finish a task on the day she received it, so that afternoon would be her free time. She was also thinking about the school festival. Hinata was part of her class' booth as a table server. They've decided to serve the people everything matcha for food and beverages. Many students from other schools and possibly neighboring cities would come. And when the festival was over, a party will be held in Konoha High. That meant Hinata had to look for something nice to wear, or maybe, she'd leave after the festival was over. Parties never really were for her personality anyway.

The girl arrived home and decided to take a shower. She had recently bought a lavender soap she encountered on her way home. Whenever she was in Sasuke's embrace, he would always inhale her scent and say he loved how she smelled great. Lavender was probably his favorite, too. So Hinata began washing, every inch of her body, knowing that Sasuke would touch it. She blushed as she recalled his text message. He had bought something. What did he buy, exactly?

When she finished, she decided to be dressed in her nightgown. A flowing, almost transparent broken white dress. Hinata would stand in front of her full body mirror, "Would Sasuke-kun like this? …I wonder…" She'd say, turning around to see if she behind looked nice in the dress. The fabric pressed on her body while maintaining its fluidity, enhancing the shape of her breasts and her bum the most. Once she realized her hair was tied up in a bun, she pulled her hair tie off, and her hair would fall over her shoulders to rest on her back.

Sasuke loved it when her hair was down.

In what seemed like a few minutes, she could hear a knock on her window. Very quickly, she locked her bedroom door and then skipped over to let Sasuke in. It was exactly 12:00 AM when everyone in the Hyūga household had fallen asleep. The two decided that 12 AM would be the best to stay safe. There was a night when Hinata asked, "What if people found out about this? What are you going to do?" With Sasuke's arm around her, both lying in her bed, he'd say, "I'll apologize where apologies are due, and tell them that you're mine."

When her windows opened wide enough for the man, Sasuke stepped into her room with a backpack on, and she wondered what could be inside.

"Hey." He said.

"Hi."

"Do you want to talk?" Sasuke asked, sitting on her bed, his backpack placed on the floor next to his feet.

"About what?" Hinata asked, her eyes obviously lost in his. Even when he might have been excited to try new things with her, he still prioritized her feelings during lunch.

"The dobe and Sakura."

"Hm… what is there to talk about?"

"I don't know. Many. Your emotions are complex."

That one bit was true, Hinata had thought. But she shook her head. She didn't want to use the time they had on Naruto. She figured it wouldn't do her good. If Sasuke wasn't really excited about their meeting, she had looked forward to her time with Sasuke, and she didn't want to ruin it.

"So?" Sasuke asked as if insisting she should talk about it.

Hinata sighed. "Yeah, it hurt. I had no idea they were… romantically affiliated with each other. But I could be wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"I could be wrong, Sasuke-kun. Maybe they're just really good friends."

"I saw your face. That's why I texted you. You looked hurt."

"Okay, maybe I was, so what? As I said, I'm not so sure. Maybe I still need to confess to Naruto and see for myself. And if what you said was true, then I'd be rejected. But if I'm right, then-" She was cut off when Sasuke chuckled. "I see how it is. I've noticed that it's been weeks and you're still trying to learn some things with me. When are you going to confess to the idiot?"

Would she really need to? But that's when he got her, again. Hinata fell silent.

"You didn't really plan on confessing, did you?" Sasuke would say, his arm wrapping around her waist to pull her closer to him. "Because if you're right, if he asks you to be his girlfriend, then we don't need to keep doing these things. Is that correct, Ms. Hyūga?"

As she stepped closer to him according to his demand, her hands would rest on his chest. Her face was so red, that she had to look away from his piercing onyx eyes. "I-I don't understand what you're saying," Hinata said, trying to deny whatever he was saying even though it kind of confirmed her thoughts and feelings.

A kiss was planted on her neck. "Hm, lavender."

Sasuke began to smother her neck with more kisses. Hinata loved it too much, she began to breathe heavier than she did before. She could feel his hand sliding up her thigh, making its way under her dress. "So you keep stalling, to keep making me do these things to you. You're a naughty girl, Hinata."

"N-No, you're misunderstanding everything-"

"Hn. I think I understand you perfectly."

He picked her up to place her on her bed. His one hand reached into his backpack, and he pulled out a rope that looked like it had been smoothened out, to avoid hurting her skin. When Hinata saw it, she asked, "That's what you bought?" Sasuke stood in front of her as she lay on the mattress. "Turn around." Hinata did what she was told.

"Hands behind your back."

It was done according to his commands.

Before the girl could register anything, Sasuke had begun tying her wrists together with that same rope. Hinata felt like she saw something like this in a movie before, where the man tied up the woman for sexual pleasure. She had been dreaming to do these things with Sasuke, and she had always been too shy to ask the Uchiha. Knowing that he was in the same interest as she excited her even more. She could feel her nether regions damp the more he tightened the rope around her wrists. But what bothered her was how she automatically wanted to do things with Sasuke, not Naruto. She felt she might have made Sasuke angry.

"S-Sasuke-kun…"

"What."

"Did I do something to upset y-you?"

"Good question, Hyūga. Do you think you have?"

He helped Hinata to sit up as he sat next to her. Once she could look at the man, Sasuke patted his lap, signaling for Hinata to hover over it. Hinata didn't obey him straight away when she said, "I t-think I have."

"Good. Now lay here, face down."

She did what she was told, her torso resting on his lap, and her butt sticking out. The dress had been rolled up by the Uchiha, revealing Hinata's bum.

"You need to be spanked for being untruthful."

Hinata felt blood rushing to her cheeks. What they were doing was so shameful that she couldn't get her mind to comprehend why she was complying with it all. Another confusing thing was how she wanted him to spank her. As if it would awaken something else within her. It was fair to say that the only thing she disagreed with was the fact Sasuke said she wasn't being honest.

"Wait for a second, what do you mean I'm untruthful?"

"And you're going to count to ten," Sasuke said, ignoring the Hyūga, his hand caressing her rear very softly.

"Sa-Sasuke, wait-"

Smack!

The sharp pain went through her skin in a shock. It felt like she got electrocuted, and that same feeling traveled all the way to her womb, causing her nether regions to dampen even more. Hinata felt pleasure in the spank. But her mind was spinning. In what area had she lied to make the Uchiha upset? To please his heart, Hinata counted.

"One." She managed to say, releasing a sigh right after.

"You're untruthful because you can't even admit to yourself that you've given up on Naruto ever since I touched you."

After Sasuke spoke, she felt another spank on her rear coming from the Uchiha. The same pain she felt followed by the same warmth, enough to get herself wet. "T-Two." She would say.

"You have been delaying your confession because you actually like the way I touch you."

Smack!

"Three-" Hinata started to feel tired. The sensation she was receiving was too overwhelming that she began to let her head rest on Sasuke's arm. "P-Please, it's not true Sasuke-"

"Bullshit. You can't even give in to yourself right now. You're trying so hard to hold the pleasure in because the thought of forgetting Naruto would mean forgetting an identity you once loved."

Smack!

That statement hurt her. No one had ever spoken to her this way, and yet, what he said could be true. What if she never really loved Naruto? What if it had always been the idea of loving Naruto that kept her going? Because her life was too far from her control, being in love with the idea of loving Naruto was the only thing she had control over. What if that was the case?

"Four."

Smack!

"And you're too ashamed to admit that you like this."

"Five."

Smack!

"And that I'm just someone you can use to make yourself feel better."

"S-Six."

Another spank.

"This means I'm your toy, aren't I, Hyūga?"

"N-No, Sasuke, you're wrong."

"I said, count."

"S-Seven!"

The pain swelling up in her heart began to clog her throat, and before she could understand it, she was trying her best to swallow her tears. He was right. She had been too selfish. She had used Sasuke for her own personal gain. She never really thought if Sasuke had any say regarding the issue. For weeks, all she could think about was pleasuring herself, through Sasuke. Before the Uchiha spanked her three more times, Hinata spoke, "I'm sorry, Sasuke."

For a while, Hinata didn't feel that same sharp pain because Sasuke had stopped spanking her after she voiced her apology. All she could feel was her underwear soaked in her own nectar. There she was, her soul bare, and she was too naked in front of the Uchiha. She had never let her guard down this low for anyone else to see. The quiet, timid, smart Hyūga heiress was no more. She was just Hinata; a flawed human being, who found herself rescued by a certain Uchiha. A man who wanted her just as much.

Hinata began to cry.

"I've used you. F-For my own agenda. I'm sorry. I never wanted you to feel that way."

Those tears blinded her vision too much, and Hinata decided to shut her eyes. "This is not me, Sasuke. I'm not usually l-like this. Hurting you or anyone is the last thing I w-want to do. Especially...-"

The pain was overflowing, and the spilling of her tears was everything she tried to hold inside for years. Her future, her likes, and dislikes, and even her core identity had always been decided. She was never truly free until Sasuke came into the picture. What was she trying to become, anyway? Without the Uchiha, she was nothing.

"Especially you."

Before understanding what was happening around her, Sasuke grabbed her gently, lifted her, and placed her on his lap. With her arms still tied behind her back, the Uchiha wiped her tears away. His expression softened. But really, was he ever angry? Did he ever display hate on his face? All she could see through her tears were an expression of someone who yearned for connection.

But then he kissed her for the first time.

Uchiha Sasuke had done it again. He had won her over. On that fateful night, Hinata had bound herself to the man. Call it love or whatever, she might not even understand what it really was. All she knew was that she wasn't going anywhere without Sasuke.

And for the first time ever, her heart shifted into devotion like no other.