Thank you for showing interest in this story. I hope you find it as engaging and enjoyable as I enjoy writting it for you all. Happy reading!

-.-.-.-.-.-

Desperate cries and unceasing sobs drew my attention. It seemed I had dozed off for a while, and what I initially believed to be part of my usual nightmares turned startlingly real when I opened my eyes.

-"Hinata."-

I awoke with composure and made my way to the room she was occupying. I ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to steady myself, only to find it damp. It then occurred to me that I had taken a bath before dozing off. Upon reaching my destination, I entered without bothering to knock. I approached the futon where she lay, witnessing her restlessly tossing and turning in her troubled sleep. Her chest rose and fell rapidly with labored breaths, a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead, her pink lips trembling with sobs and her cheeks wet with tears. My hands grew weak once again. I approached her with great care, enveloped in the scent of lilac and lavender that filled the air. My cool hand gently touched her cheek, but a soft murmur from her lips froze me in my tracks.

-"S-Sasuke-kun... y-you came to s-save me..."-

I caressed her cheek with the lightest of touches. Her breathing steadied, and the sobbing ceased. A small smile graced her lips, and in that very moment, I surrendered at her feet. She needed me, and even if only from a distance, I would protect her. I understood all too well how she felt about him -"Naruto"- but only the night and the shadows bore witness to this vulnerability.

I turned away from her silently and lingered in the doorway for a moment, lost in thought. As I opened the shoji, just before leaving the room, a soft -"S-Stay"- was whispered in her dreams.

-"Forever"- my fate was sealed in that moment, but no one would know, not even her...

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The next morning, the aroma of black tea, my favorite, roused me from sleep. My dream had been as ethereal and disconcerting as it had been for years. I rose slowly, unhurried. The housekeeper would bring the... -"Friday"- I murmured. She had some scheduled days off and wouldn't return until next week, then...

A faint knock on my door reached my ears. I offered no response, and the door slid open slowly, revealing a bashful Hinata with a tray of tea in her hands. Yet, she hesitated to step further. Her blush deepened with each passing second. It wasn't until she sensed my gaze elsewhere that she approached, placing the tray on the tatami beside the futon where I remained seated.

-"G-Good morning S-Sasuke-san..."-

I said nothing, waiting for an explanation for this "intrusion." -"... uhm, w-well I thought that a-after what you d-did for me last n-night I n-needed to thank you i-in some w-way..."- An awkward silence fell around her, and she lowered her head sadly. -"... I-I know this i-is nothing compared to what y-you did for me b-but..."-

-"Hmph"- I took one of the cups from the tray, and she quickly filled it with trembling hands. I raised the cup to my lips, savoring a sip of black tea. She relaxed slightly, and I couldn't help but do the same. We shared a few minutes of silence, interrupted only when she spoke.

-"S-Sasuke-san, uhm, I-I..."- She began to fidget with her fingers nervously. -"...M-May I s-stay a few d-days?"- When she finished speaking, I could feel her gaze on my face, but I kept my focus on the wall in front of me, calmly drinking my tea. -",,, I p-promise I won't be a n-nuisance, I'll help a-as much as I c-can-"-

-"You don't have to."-

-"So I-I can..."-

-"Hmph."-

-"A-Arigato S-Sasuke-san!"- I turned to look at her as if some strange force had compelled me to do so. There, I saw the most beautiful smile I had ever witnessed in my entire life. A smile meant solely for me... In that moment, I decided I wanted to see that smile every day, and that only I would be the one to witness it.

-"Sasuke."-

-"E-Excuse me?"-

-"Just call me Sasuke, enough with the formalities."-

-"S-Sasuke-kun..."-

When I heard my name spoken in her lovely voice, I allowed myself a moment of vulnerability. I reached out, moving my hand toward her to tuck a strand of her ebony hair that the breeze was playing with, and after feeling its silky texture, I gently brushed it behind her ear, lightly grazing her cheek with my fingers. The ends of her hair settled on the tatami in her current seated position. -"So beautiful"- ... Her voice pulled me from my thoughts, a question I knew would come eventually, and my response was already prepared and well-considered.

-"W-Why did you s-save me?"-

-"I'm not interested in you."-

Something shattered within her, and I saw it plainly. But why? It made no sense. She was in love with someone else, and I wouldn't allow my subconscious desires to deceive me.

-"I-I know... I j-just..."-

-"You can make use of the comforts of this house for as long as you need to, just don't obstruct me."-

-"I-I won't."-

-"She's not leaving."- Hope? Tsk. –"Hmph."-

She stood to leave, and I found myself attempting to close the gap between us, the very one I had just created...

-"It's my favorite."-

-"Excuse m-me?"- She turned to look at me again, our gazes locking. Her cheeks flushed, and once again, I had to thwart my subconscious from playing tricks on me.

-"Black tea."-

Her eyes brightened once more, and a faint smile graced her pink lips. She nodded once and turned to leave the room...

Despite having asked her to stay away from me, that afternoon I found myself observing her as she tended to the garden, carefully trimming away the withered leaves from the bushes and roses that threatened to mar the beauty of the lilies and cherry blossom trees. I settled on the engawa to watch her work. She flinched momentarily upon sensing my presence, but then continued with her task. That's when I noticed what she was wearing... she still had on the top of my pajamas. I stood and walked down the hallway, entering the first bedroom on the right. I sighed. Only Kami knew how long it had been since I'd last come here. The housekeeper had kept it immaculate. I went to the closet and retrieved some clothes. They were clean and meticulously folded. I didn't spare a second glance at the room as I left.

With a calm demeanor, I proceeded to the room she was using. Afterward, I left the clothes on the futon and headed to my own room. As I entered, my attention was drawn to a hawk perched on my window sill. It held a scroll in its claw, bearing the label "Anbu mission". I carefully removed it and read through the mission details: S Rank, a team of 4 Anbu, with me as the captain. Our targets were marked for elimination, and the mission was set to commence tonight. We had a time frame of two weeks... My eyes flickered momentarily, not due to the mission's nature, but because of the looming two-week commitment.

A sense of emptiness settled in my stomach. It was likely that she wouldn't be here when I returned. In fact, I wasn't even sure if she'd be around tomorrow. Everything became crystal clear in my mind, prompting a swift decision. With resolve in my heart, I began preparing for the mission. Hours slipped away as I meticulously donned the Anbu armor, ensuring it fit snugly. When I finished, I strode towards the front door, leaving my backpack on the floor. Turning back to retrieve my Anbu hood from the rack, I suddenly spotted her.

She stood in the center of the dining room, adorned in a familiar light ivory yukata that I recognized instantly. Her dark blue-black hair cascaded freely, and her eyes met mine with anticipation. I averted my gaze and saw the table set for two with cups of tea and some onigiri. Well...

I met her eyes one last time before making my way towards her, taking a seat on one of the cushions in front of the table. I closed my eyes briefly. She released a sigh and settled across from me. I felt her gaze on me, so I opened my eyes to meet hers. She turned her head away, a slight blush gracing her cheeks. I picked up a ball of onigiri and brought it to my mouth without hesitation. It was delicious. I savored it, taking a sip of tea before having another. She ate quietly, her gaze averted.

-"T-Thank you for t-the clothes S-Sauke-kun…"- Despite her voice shattering the quiet, I remained "indifferent".

-"They were my mother's"- I answered sincerely.

-"T-They are b-beautiful… uhm"- –"WWhen are you c-coming back?"-

I fixed my eyes on her, and this time, she returned my gaze. In her pale eyes, I found myself momentarily adrift, my response tinged with a touch of apprehension... just a touch.

-"Two weeks," her reaction caught me off guard. She looked at me, surprise mixed with what seemed like impatience. Her mouth moved as if struggling to form words, but nothing came out. I tried to break the tension, and a simple, -"I'll be back soon"- slipped from my lips.

Her gaze held a glimmer of hope, a sight my stubborn mind tried to dismiss. To avoid overthinking, I chose to stand up and leave. The decision I had previously made seemed less important in that moment. I retrieved the Anbu hood from its place and draped it over my shoulders. As I was about to secure the mask over my face, I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve. I turned, and once again, there she was. Her head was bowed, her hand gripping my sleeve tightly.

-"S-Stay..." Her whispered plea threw me off balance. In that instant, I regained the resolve I had momentarily lost. I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to meet my gaze. Her skin felt delicate, and my thumbs brushed against her tear-streaked cheeks.

-"Forever." Without further contemplation, I closed the distance between us and kissed her. It was a gentle touch that set my whole body ablaze. Her hands rested atop mine, still cradling her face, but her lips remained still. I pulled away, and she looked at me in disbelief. The blush on her cheeks was enchanting. I pressed my lips to hers once more, briefly, before pulling away and walking toward the exit. I retrieved my backpack, secured my mask in place, and left through the front door, waving farewell to the guards.

-"Watch over her"- I issued a simple command, and they nodded in understanding.

I turned my gaze, and there she stood in the doorway, watching me. I turned away once more, heading towards the exit of the Uchiha complex. I sprinted out, leaping from rooftop to rooftop toward my destination: the entrance of Konoha. A warmth feeling spread through my chest and veins, a surrender to my vulnerability. -"How foolish am I?"- I couldn't help but think... she hadn't kissed me back.