Just a quick note to let you know that updates will mainly happen on weekends but, this and the next chapter will be a gift since you all have been amazing. Thank you so much for your patience and support! Also, for those curious, we're approaching a chapter with more mature content ("lemons"). Your encouragement means the world to me. Enjoy!

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When I slid open the main shoji of the mansion, my gaze fixed on what lay before me: there she stood, breathing rapidly, arms cradling something close to her chest. Surprise filled her albino eyes, a faint blush graced her cheeks, and the yukata barely clung to her shoulders, offering a tantalizing glimpse. Her disheveled ebony-blue hair framed her face, and a subtle tremor coursed through her as our eyes met.

-"O-Okaeri-n-nasai"- her lips moved faintly, and when she finished speaking, a small smile graced her lips. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of belonging.

I passed by her, heading down the hallway, deliberately denying my eyes the privilege of being captivated by her radiance once more. Just as I reached her, I paused. I could sense her sadness and disappointment with my aloofness. The familiar heat kindled within my chest, and I couldn't help but utter it in a low voice -"Tadaima"-

I heard her sigh, but I didn't turn to look at her -"Coward"- I acknowledged. If I allowed my gaze to linger on her, her expressions would surely fuel my obsessive emotions, exposing my... yes, my weakness.

As I entered my room, her scent enveloped me, a tangible reminder that she had been here. -"Enough. I won't let her toy with me"- I resolved. Swiftly, I left my room, finding her still in the same spot. I strode purposefully toward her, determined to seek the answers I needed.

-"You've been in my room-" her ears caught my voice, and though startled, she attempted to respond.

-"I'm s-sorry I-I-"- I didn't let her finish. I needed to dispel my uncertainties. It was more than just her intrusion into my room.

-"Why are you here?"- My tone was stern and commanding. She bowed her head, avoiding my gaze, and replied.

-"I-I can't g-go home..."-

-"Why?"- I pressed for the full story.

There was a moment of silence. She stood there, still, with me behind her. I waited for an explanation, growing impatient. Just as I was about to repeat my question, she spoke...

-"N-Naruto-kun asked f-for my hand i-in marriage."-"Bastard, I'm going to kill him"- "B-But I refused, bbecause..."- In that moment, her resolve wavered, and she sank to her knees before me. Her back trembled, and amidst sobs, she continued...

-"I-I don't l-love...h-him."-

Her words eased some of the anger, but they also confirmed that she was speaking of a "him". Then...

-"Who?"- My voice grew colder, deeper, almost a growl. I was certain she wouldn't answer. I waited in silence, she no longer sobbing, her back now straight, her gaze fixed on the shoji before her, as if seeking an escape. It was then that I realized what I was doing: tormenting her and myself like this wasn't worth it. If she told me his name and I swore vengeance, I couldn't bear to inflict pain on her, in contradiction to the oath I'd made to myself. It took almost superhuman strength to turn away and distance myself. Yet, as though pierced by shuriken, her sudden words rooted me to the tatami...

-"I-I love y-you… S-Sasuke-kun"-

There was no response from me, not a single motion. I heard her rise, then the shoji slid open in a swift motion as she fled from me. Darkness descended once more in her absence.

-"Hinata"-

After what felt like an eternity, I regained control and made a decision. -"Goddammit"- I had to follow her, find her, and tell her that I... As I took the first step, a demon of fury and longing was unleashed within me, desperate to reclaim her.

In my rage, I surmised, or rather assumed, that she couldn't have gone far given her condition. Any exertion beyond her limit, however mild, would strain her heart. I'd heard of this only two months ago.

FLASHBACK

I sat outside the Hokage's office, awaiting my turn to submit the mission report. It was my first report since returning to Konoha. Unintentionally, I overheard the conversation inside the Godaime's office.

-"You look so much better. Your strength will return gradually, but the color in your cheeks says it all. You were very pale, Hinata!"-

Upon hearing her name, my ears perked up, realizing she was inside.

-"A-Arigato Tsunade-s-sama. I do f-feel better now, t-thanks to you and Sakura-s-san"-

I frowned when I heard my old teammate's name. -"Nuisance"- I thought.

-"You don't have to thank me. It is my duty..."- The Hokage paused briefly, then continued with a more solemn tone. -"Hinata, I must be frank with you about your situation"-

-"I u-understand T-Tsunade-sama..."-

-"Your heart is very weak. Although it wasn't directly attacked, it's where all your chakra channels flow. And let's not even mention your lungs! You must believe me when I say that your survival is not solely due to my efforts. It's a miracle."-

-"T-Tsunade-sama..."-

-"Allow me to continue. It's crucial that we make this clear... Any physical activity that pushes you beyond your limits could cost you your life"-

-"I-I understand. H-how long must I-I wait?"- Her voice trembled.

-"Six months, perhaps a bit longer. The fragility of your condition will gradually decrease. For a complete recovery, that amount of time is necessary"-

-"I can assure you that she will be well taken care of, Hokage-sama.-" Suddenly, a male voice chimed in, slightly alarming me. -"Hinata-sama is under my care."-

-"Neji."- I acknowledged.

-"...and you, lady. I don't want you to be stubborn. Follow my instructions. Though I know I'm not speaking to Naruto, that boy will be the end of me one of these days."- In that moment, I heard a soft and beautiful smile that caused my brow to relax and a smirk to form on my lips.

-"I-I will, T-Tsunade-sama."-

I heard their farewells, and as I stood, the door swung open, revealing a small, delicate figure that collided with my chest. I glanced down, meeting her gaze for a moment. -"S-Sumimasen"- She looked up at me, her eyes meeting mine. -"U-Uchiha-san!"-

-"Hmph."- I looked up again, nonchalantly ignoring the tingling sensation where she had touched me.

END OF FLASHBACK

That hadn't been the only time our eyes had met like that.

I continued to race through the streets of Konoha, reaching the riverside bridge. I surveyed both directions, and for the first time in my life, I felt... fear. She lay on the grass under a Sakura tree on the hillside. I leaped from the bridge, landing by her side in an instant. I'd thought she might be unconscious, but as my hand neared her face, her eyes fluttered open weakly, looking at me with what I recognized as relief, hope...

-"Y-You c-came f-for me..."- Her body trembled, and I couldn't help but pull her closer by her shoulders. Her head now rested on my right shoulder. -"...a-again."-

I took a deep breath and held her delicately in my arms, standing up. I walked back, retracing my steps from just a few days ago, carrying her home.

-"You haven't realized..."- When she heard my voice, her eyes opened slowly, looking at me. I didn't look back; if I did, everything would go to hell. And it wasn't time for that yet. -"...I will always come to get you."- My arms held her tightly, and after gazing at me for a moment, she closed her eyes again, one of her hands clutching the fabric covering my chest. And then, I dared to look at her, realizing what she held so tightly. I smiled inwardly. It was my pajamas.

I returned to the Uchiha complex and gently placed her on the futon in my bedroom. Her hand still clung to my chest, and I couldn't help but remain close, unable to leave her alone. I lay down beside her, and as my body fully touched the futon, her head found my chest, her body drawing near. Her fingers brushed against my chest, igniting a fire within me. -"Dammit"- I muttered. I was still clad in the Anbu gear. Unintentionally, I left her side, being careful not to disturb her, and prepared to change.

I took a bath, successfully clearing my head and relaxing my body. The tension from the mission ebbed away. When I returned to her side, she gravitated towards me with magnetic force. Her head rested on my chest, as if the rhythm of my heart aided her sleep. I didn't push her away, but I refrained from touching her. I wasn't sure I could trust myself. I'd never felt so alive... That night, I slept peacefully.