"Hinata-chan? Have you ever fallen in love?" Naruto started a conversation as the two teens walked around in a nearby park.
Hinata felt like laughing but just smiled instead, shaking her head in denial.
"I don't think so."
"I have. Still am. I don't know why I even like...or love? Her that much." Naruto stopped to sit down on a bench.
Hinata sat down next to him, letting out a heavy sigh. This was definitely not her favorite topic.
"I guess we can't control who we love."
"No, but still. She doesn't even pay me that much attention. I...I don't know." Naruto looked at his phone to check the time. "I wish I was like Sasuke."
"Nah. You are far better than him." Hinata laughed. "I mean, he is not that bad, just arrogant."
"Oii, Hinata!" Naruto grabbed her hand, making her look confused. "Did you just say that he is not that bad?"
"I-I guess."
The blonde's eyes sparkled in excitement upon hearing that.
"I actually ship you two," he confessed, still holding onto her hand. "I think you two secretly like each other."
"No! No way!" she squeaked in embarrassment, avoiding eye contact.
"You don't sound like you are being honest." Uzumaki gently let go of her hand. Recently, I noticed Sasuke acting differently."
Hyuga's expression changed. She seemed a little bit too interested.
"I guess you sleeping in his apartment made him-"
"Ahh! That fucking Uchiha told you!"
Naruto nodded and laughed.
"Yeah. By the way, you know, Sakura said she hated him, then apologized to him! And even after what he did to her—he embarrassed her in front of the whole school...she still likes him, for some reason. So I won't be surprised if even you like him."
"I think she is just trying to move on by getting rejected once again." Hinata shrugged her shoulders, avoiding his words about her. "You know, for the last two months I've befriended some girls, including her."
"Really? That's great!" Naruto almost yelled in excitement, realizing Hinata was making progress.
For the last two months, Hyuga has managed to get herself into some kind of girl group. Ino, Sakura, Temari, Karin, and her It was actually nice for her to speak with girls, gossip, help each other out, and have girls parties. She found out more about their personalities and interests. Including Sakura's actual feelings.
"Naruto-kun... I don't feel so good. I should get back home." Hinata got up and fixed up her skirt. "See you tomorrow."
Naruto was still pretty upset, so he began to wonder if he should finally move on from Sakura. Even if Sakura was doing the same with Sasuke, it didn't mean he had a chance with her. School classes had ended, and he needed his friend's advice, so they agreed on meeting in front of Sasuke's. As Uzumaki waited, he received a text message from the Uchiha.
Sasuke U.:
Coming in a minute.
Naruto sighed, looking around and trying to spot him. And exactly in a minute, he showed up, running. Sasuke looked really worried.
"Naruto, what's going on?" He asked as he stopped in front of the Uzumaki with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
"How do I move on from Sakura-chan?"
"Um, well...I guess you should find another girl to like. That's one option. The other is-"
"That's it! But who...Temari—Shikamaru likes her."
"Karin is too annoying and in love with me as well." Sasuke laughed.
"True, true. Ino is good-looking and a nice girl."
"I think Kiba likes her."
"What about Hinata-chan? She is always so nice to me!" Naruto smiled in excitement, imagining himself with the bluenette.
"No. She is an ass."
"I don't think she is...wait! Why not Hinata?" Naruto's smile changed to an interested expression.
"Told you. She is...annoying." The raven-haired guy tried to hide his blush from his best friend, but, of course, unsuccessfully.
Naruto knew him better than anyone else. You can even say better than his own brother. So Uzumaki knew that expression of his was new, and not looking straight into the eyes while talking was hinting that the Uchiha was hiding something.
"Are you the one who likes her?"
"NO! NO FUCKING WAY!" he yelled, turning his back to his friend's face.
"Sure, sure. Then I should look around for other girls, then." Uzumaki laughed, finally understanding what was going on. "Let's just get drunk at your bro's party for now; how about that?"
Party time
The music was loud. There were lots of university students. It seemed like Itachi had made progress in making friends as well. Most people were from other universities that he just happened to befriend. But of course there were some of Sasuke's friends as well, since they knew his brother very well. Sometimes they all go to visit him and grab a beer, or two, or three...Since it's another town, it's a little bit far, and someone has to drive - and that someone was Shikamaru who didn't like alcohol anyways.
"Happy birthday, Itachi-san!" Some girls started gathering about the Uchiha giving him presents.
At the view, Sasuke laughed, just because he understood what it was like. But the one he was looking for tonight hasn't yet shown up.
"Cheers!" Choji walked up to Sasuke, giving him a glass of whiskey and a bottle of Coke."I know you don't like straight whiskey!"
"Actually...tonight I'mma get wasted!" Sasuke smiled and dried his glass in seconds. "Phew, that's strong!"
"Yeah, no shit Sherlock!"
The one he was looking for showed up in the most gorgeous red tight dress, getting just to her knees. Her beautiful body made him almost open his mouth, but he had to hold back. Her outfit was just perfect, together with her make up, her hair up in a cute bun, and black high heels making her legs look even longer that they already looked.
"Hinata!" Naruto yelled, giving her a hug.
"Stay back." Neji growled at Uzumaki making him step at least two meters away.
The bluenette rolled her eyes and grabbed the present Neji and her prepared for Itachi, and walked towards the group gathered around him.
"Itachi-kun!" she yelled, waving at him, showing she has a present in her hands.
Itachi froze at one place, noticing his friend's cousin looking like a...god damn sexy woman. That's how she looked like! Not only she was sexy, but very beautiful as well. He didn't quite understand why she would made all that effort to look better than usual tho.
"You look gorgeous, Hinata!" he smiled at her.
When she passed him the present, Itachi couldn't help but get really happy to find out that there were two games for PlayStation inside that were, in fact, expensive. Itachi was struggling to buy even one of them since he was studying. The other gifts couldn't even compare!
"I hope you like what we've got for you." Hinata blushed intentionally, looking into Itachi's eyes.
"Yes, thank you so much!"
As they continued their little chat, Sasuke stared at them quite intensely. His friends, noticing that, started making jokes, but he was too busy inspecting to even hear them. Just as Hinata stepped away from his brother and went to the kitchen, probably to get a drink, the younger Uchiha felt the urge to ask her about her outfit, her blushing to his brother in a flirty way, everything! Just as he took a few steps, he realized it was not his business. But why was he even interested? They hated each other, remember?
"Let's grab some more drinks and have fun!" Naruto yelled, making Sasuke come back to earth and stop at one place.
"I will grab you some drinks, guys!" Neji laughed at Naruto's excitement and went to the kitchen to see his cousin.
He looked like he was scolding her about something while pouring the drinks. The boys didn't think much of it; maybe he felt like protecting her from all the boys staring at her.
Flashback
"Hinata, you can't wear that to Itachi's birthday party! He will think of it wrong!"
"Let him! He is cuter than Sasuke anyway." Hinata said while she was doing the final touches to her makeup.
"I don't know about cute, but he is older." Neji wasn't agreeing with her look at all.
He was supposed to protect her, not just stay around and watch her flirt with an older guy instead of someone her age. Hinata was pissed at Neji for making her go, so all of that was just to piss him off.
"Just a few years. It's not that much!"
Back to the party
Neji was still angry at his cousin for trying to catch Itachi's eyes instead of Sasuke's or even anyone else her age, for that matter! He was probably a little bit too overprotective. It was Hinata's business who she liked and who she didn't. Yet Neji wanted the best for her. And Itachi was a great guy, but...wait! Was he actually the better choice?
"I'm gonna be okay, Neji! I'm gonna have like one drink or maximum two." She took a small sip from her glass. "I don't want to get wasted like at New Year's or jump at Itachi." She gave him a little wink.
Her plan seemed to be working.
"Fine. I'm going to drink with the guys. You don't do anything reckless."
The older Hyuga guy was ready to watch from a distance and beat up whoever tried anything with his cousin. Hinata deserved a good guy, not someone who liked her just because of her looks.
"Thank you, Neji!" the guys said as he passed them their drinks, leaving Hinata's side.
Sasuke once again finished his drink quickly. Naruto noticed his strange behavior. He wasn't usually the guy who got drunk first. Right after Sasuke left his glass on the nearby table, Neji did as well. Neji noticed Sasuke being too irresponsible as well. Was he angry about something?
Hinata decided to just go see some people and dance. Since she wasn't drinking, it was kind of hard to just enjoy the dance with all these random people, but once she started moving her body in rhythm with the song, she relaxed and even danced with a few guys. All of them were giving her flirty eyes, stunned by her looks. But she didn't come for that. And that wasn't the point of her sexy dress. It was to annoy Neji and...probably take Sasuke's breath away. The bluenette moved her eyes to her cousin with the boys from her school, who were having a laugh, probably talking about stupid boy stuff. When she noticed Sasuke literally staring at her with obvious anger, she couldn't help but turn back around in confusion, avoiding him. Well, yes, they hated each other, but that was strange. Maybe the dress actually had some kind of effect on him. And even if Hinata hated admitting it, it made her feel even more sexy to be appreciated by a guy who doesn't usually appreciate girls' looks. But catching his stare was another realization as well. Why was she even trying to impress him?
"Yo, Hyuga!" He startled her, making her stop her dance and look scared at him.
"Weren't you just sitting there?" She pointed at the others.
"I wanted to ask...why are you ignoring me?"
"Because you are stupid?"
"I mean, first you tell me to kiss you and-"
"I know. I was just drunk, okay? Let's just forget about it and move on with our lives." She smiled and continued on with her dancing with another guy that just showed up.
"Fine."
The Uchiha went back to the other guys, crossing his hands in front of himself.
"What happened? What did you say to her?" Neji was interested.
"Nothing, just...I don't understand her."
All the others smiled at each other. Sasuke was angry about something, and they all knew what.
"CHEERS!"
Sasuke's vision has gotten blurry. He hasn't gotten this wasted in a very long time. All he wanted was for that awful feeling to just go away. But it wasn't going to be soon. Everyone else was drunk as well, but not as much as him. He stood up and made his way outside, taking a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. He doesn't usually smoke, but at parties, he allowed himself to.
"Oi, Sasuke, what happened?" Itachi walked up to him, showing he was obviously concerned about his little brother.
"I'm just..just.."
"I get it." Itachi chuckled, asking for a cigarette with a gesture.
Sasuke gave him the pack and a lighter.
"Thanks, Sasuke. I saw you getting angry earlier."
"It's just that the stupid Hyuga girl... She is...uh!"
"She is beautiful, isn't she? Is it making you mad seeing her dressed like that for my birthday party and not yours?" He lit the cigarette, looking straight into Sasuke's eyes.
"I have never even invited her to my birthday... I don't even want to make a party, but Naruto insists." He blushed at the thought of her.
Maybe he was actually mad about that.
"Your birthday is not so far. Maybe you should invite her this time."
Sasuke shook his head in disagreement. He didn't feel like she would want to come even if he did invite her.
The two finished smoking and went back inside. The party was almost dead; most people were preparing to leave, which made Sasuke consider going back home as well. He noticed his friends were still having a conversation with Hinata's cousin and having a big laugh. Hinata has joined them, laughing as well at probably some stupid stuff Naruto said. The young Uchiha put a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder.
"Shikamaru, wanna go?"
The Nara guy looked around and nodded. There weren't many people left, so it would be uncomfortable for them to stay around for too long. He tried his best to speak over everyone, telling them it was time to go, but Naruto was just too damn loud.
"GUYS!" Hinata yelled in her best way and pointed at Shikamaru.
Everyone turned to him, heard him out, and agreed it was really time to go. The Hyugas also agreed on getting ready to head home. They all said their goodbyes to Itachi and hopped into their cars. Hinata waved to Itachi, blowing him a kiss, which made him chuckle and smile at her, just waving back in response.
"Hey! Hinata, stop that!" Neji scolded her and started driving.
The next day
The summer break was just 4 months away, which made all students start planning what they were going to do all summer and where they would go for a vacation. But all Hinata was thinking about was ending that stupid bet and making her cousin take her to some super expensive place for her summer vacation. That made her daydream while she was with the girls at Ino's house.
"Oi, Hinata-chan!" Temari interrupted her fantasies by pointing at an outfit. "How is that for my date? I bought it yesterday."
The girl tried her best not to blush, but as soon as they realized her embarrassment, they squawked in excitement.
"It's great, Temari-chan." Hinata smiled.
"Anyways, it's obvious who my crush is. Who are yours?"
All the girls looked around, trying to think about their answers.
"Aw, come on. Sakura's is Sasuke-"
"Not anymore!" Sakura interrupted her. "I think I got completely over him. I don't just think about it; I am actually sure of it. The rejection yesterday was the closure I needed."
"What about the other dozen times?" Ino asked with laughter.
"That...that doesn't matter. I just think it's time to look around. So for now, I don't like anyone!"
"Aw." Yamanaka seemed disappointed by her answer.
Ino was always the girl who was most excited when it came to guys, love, and stuff.
"Karin?" Temari continued on. "Is it still Sasuke?"
Actually, a guy confessed to me yesterday. And I accepted to go on a date with him next week."
All the others started squawking again in excitement and jumping around the room.
"It is this guy Suigetsu from my class. I might give him a chance. Enough about me! Ino?"
Ino laughed innocently and crossed her arms in front of her.
"Kiba."
Her friends weren't even a little shocked by that. She used to like Sasuke back in the day as well, but for the last few months they noticed her talking more and more about 'that body of Kiba's'.
"He is covered in tats and good-looking." She grinned and looked straight at Hinata.
Hinata knew it would be her turn sooner or later. She could say Naruto, Choji, or whoever she wanted. But she didn't feel like lying to them. When she thought about her crush, a certain face immediately appeared in her mind. But that was wrong! He was definitely the guy most on her mind lately, but a crush? No, no.
"I actually don't think I like anyone yet. Naruto-kun is probably the only guy that is nice to me."
"Take him!" Sakura joked, making them all laugh. "He actually drunk called me yesterday, telling me he is in love with me and all that shit."
'So he finally did it?' Hinata thought to herself, knowing he struggled with telling Sakura about his feelings. But she never could have guessed he would say it while drunk on the phone.
"Annnnd?" Karin asked with interest.
"I hung up. He is nice, and I care about him. I'm not sure yet. And Hinata-chan, someone must have come to mind when we said crush, hasn't it?"
Hinata blushed, making the girls laugh at her tomato-like face.
"It's fine. Maybe you are not sure as well." Ino gave her a hug, comforting her.
Hinata was walking towards her home, noticing it was still pretty cold for a skirt and a t-shirt. Sadly, that was what she changed to after school today. Fortunately, today she didn't see Sasuke even once; she just heard girls talk about how he rejected them on Valentine's Day. Which was expected.
'Was he even at school?' she thought when she decided to take a right turn instead of a left one, leading to Sasuke's home.
She didn't even realize she had done it before she was right in front of his door.
"Why am I here?" she whispered, and just before she was about to turn back, the door opened, revealing Uchiha shirtless, wearing just gray pants. Thankfully, he wasn't just in his underwear.
"Huh? I thought it was Itachi...what are you doing here?" By the looks of it, the Uchiha was sick.
But why was he shirtless if he was sick? Wasn't he fucking cold? At the view, Hinata covered her eyes, her cheeks feeling like they were on literal fire.
"Did you miss me?" He chuckled, putting on a pair of shoes, stepping outside in front of the Hyuga. "Well?"
"Of course not. I have no idea why I am here."
Just as she said that, something totally unexpected happened. The Uchiha collapsed right on top of her, making them both fall to the floor.
"Uchiha...are you okay?"
He didn't respond, which made her put a hand on his forehead to check if his temperature was high. He was goddamn burning! Geez, now she has to get him back inside before he freezes.
"Great..."
She tried her best to move him away and opened the door widely so she could try to move him back inside. With all she could, she dragged him inside to the front of the couch. Now it was the hard part—to actually get him ON the couch. The bed was an impossible thing to achieve since it was further away. And the bluenette couldn't just pick Sasuke up on her hands, even if she wanted to. With all the strength she had, she got him on the couch. While she was trying to catch her breath, the Uchiha murmured something. How was he unconscious and still talking?
"Wat...er..." was all Hinata could hear.
She got to the kitchen, looking around for a cup. Most cabinets were empty; just one was full of plates and stuff. She grabbed a cup and filled it with water.
'Why am I even doing this?'
The girl opened up the fridge to find only ingredients and nothing cooked to give him to eat. Since he was sick, he had to eat more. But it seemed like he didn't have enough energy to cook himself something. Hinata sighed and brought him the glass of water, putting it on the small table in front of the couch.
"I'm gonna cook you something. There is water. If you want more, just yell or something."
"You don't have to," he murmured, taking the glass of water.
"Hm, and NOW you are awake."
"Yes. He tried assuring her, but then his hand trembled a lot as he got the glass to his lips.
"You don't look fine to me."
"Why are you even here, dumbass?" he asked, looking annoyed at her, leaving his water back on the table after barely taking a few sips.
"I...got lost."
Sasuke started laughing loudly. Either she was lying or she really got lost. Both were hilarious to think about.
"Stop laughing. I'm making you something to eat, and I will leave."
Just before Sasuke could say anything else, she stormed off to the kitchen, washing her hands and getting ready to cook.
"Smells delicious!" Sasuke yelled from the other room, still laying on the couch.
His nose couldn't help but catch the wonderful smell going around the apartment. Hinata chuckled at his excitement and got a bowl to pour in her mother's favorite chicken noodle soup, which she learned to cook when she was just 10 years old. Her mother always asked for that specific meal when she was sick. And Hinata did as well. It was perfect for when someone is feeling sick. It had lots of proteins! And it was really delicious.
"Here you go." Hinata gave him the bowl with a spoon inside and some bread aside.
"Thank you!" His eyes sprinkled, and he got up so fast that he almost fainted again from the sudden movement.
"Careful!" she yelled at him, frowning her eyebrows in anger.
"Don't you know that you shouldn't just yell at sick people?"
Just when Hinata was about to yell at him once again, a knock on the door startled them both, making them exchange worried looks.
"It's Naruto! Can I come in?"