A/N: Wow, I didn't even realise it had been this long! All of my stories were pretty much left stranded as I had lost my backup, and my will to write along with the worst ever creative block as life hit me and left me with practically no time to myself. Recently, I've been trying to get back into my fanfics and at least going on from what little I had left prior to document loss. Let's see how things go on from here. I don't even know if people read these notes or even fanfiction anymore especially on this site?

1 month later

A cool breeze touched her face, bringing along with it dead leaves and the lingering smell of autumn. It was irony in itself, as the leaves were cherry blossom. She sniffed deeply, enjoying the fresh smell of solitude and peace.

Ino calls out to her from a distance. She is with Shikamaru, waving out to her from the entrance of their Academy. Shikamaru casually tries to look uninterested in his teacher's robes as he looked away from them both, but she saw he continued to look at Ino from the corner of his eye. Whether he admitted to or not, he liked her, and that may as well be an understatement.

Neji smiled at her, nodding encouragingly. He stood next to Ino and Shikamaru with Hinata, holding her hand constantly as if they were attached and one would disappear if let go. It was a common sight these days.

She waved back at Ino, picking up her pace, a smile finally touching her lips but failing to reach her eyes. She was happy that her friends cared, and they were not to be blamed for the fact that they were hurting her by merely standing there together. These were the student-teacher couples who did not mind being seen together. Ino was popular, so she doubted that many people would not know what was going on between Shikamaru and her. And Neji and Hinata, the Hyūga couple, were engaged. It was official, as well as the rings shining on their fingers.

She was genuinely happy for them. With her prodding and teasing, Neji had managed to open up about his feelings and she had given Hinata the strength to discover herself. She felt a little proud, looking at the two standing together. She was midway through when she stopped, her smile wavering. She didn't realize before from a distance that Hinata was giving her a strange look, which Neji seemed oblivious towards as he continued to study her. Hinata's smile, she noticed, was forced.

She sighed. She supposed she deserved it. After all, she did hurt Hinata's best friend, whom Hinata cared about a lot more than her.

"Hi guys," she said as she reached them. She tried to dodge Hinata's questioning gaze.

Ino takes her hand and pulls. "I need to tell you something important," she gushes.

"What?" she asks, curious.

"It's Karin," Ino said dramatically. "She's coming to Konoha. And rumor has it that she's here to stay... With Uchiha."

Sakura rolled her eyes, only to find Hinata peering at her, trying to gauge her reaction. She immediately gulped, wondering if Hinata doubted her feelings for Sasuke might not have changed after all, when in fact, Sakura had someone new entirely on her mind these days.

"When is she coming?" she asked nonchalantly.

"This weekend," Ino informed. "I saw the application on Shika's desk when we-"

"Ooookay ladies, and Neji," Shikamaru interrupted without further ado. "I guess it's time you went to your stations."

Sakura giggled. No matter, Ino would be telling her all about what they did on Shikamaru's desk anyway. She rolled her arm around her's and went to the general direction of the classrooms. She walked faster, trying to get as far away from Hinata's gaze as she could.

Hinata, meanwhile, made the correct assumption that Sakura was deliberately trying to distance her. It made her wonder if the news of Karin's impending arrival had anything to do with it, or the way she had hurt her best friend for reasons she had not given.

She recalled how Kiba had arrived at her doorstep, dead in the night. With his superior sense of smell, he had detected that she had once more sneaked into Neji's studio apartment and could be found there instead of the Hyuga compound. He had knocked at Neji's door and called out her name, unnerving Neji who had instinctively jumped out of bed in his Gentle Fist pose before relaxing when he saw it was just Kiba on the other side. Still groggy from sleep - or perhaps lack of it thereof - he dove face first back into bed as Hinata slipped on his oversized shirt to cover her tiny frame before going to open the door.

If she was shocked at his arrival before, she became appalled to discover that Kiba's face was stricken, like he was trying very hard not to break down in tears.

"What happened?" she had demanded.

"I-It's..." he gulped. "Can I come in?"

Hinata looked back to check on Neji, who appeared undistracted as he lay still on the bed.

"Sure," she said, opening the door wider.

Kiba entered and looked around wearily for a place to sit, finally depositing himself on a couch as Hinata brewed some tea. Kiba was clearly very upset. She went to check on Neji once more to see what he thought of Kiba appearing so suddenly and intruding on their privacy, but Neji had apparently went back to sleep. She shook her head as she pulled the sheets from underneath him and drew them over his naked frame.

Handing the steaming cup to Kiba, she sat beside him with a cup of her own, once more demanding to hear what had happened.

"Did your mother say something again?" she wanted to know.

"N-no. It's Sakura-chan," he replied, his voice hoarse. "S-she... She said she needed space."

Hinata felt a pang in her heart. She wondered why she hadn't seen this coming. She recalled how Sakura had suddenly dropped by a few days ago to speak to her about something important, which had then just turned out to be about something irrelevant.

"Did she say why?" she asked.

He shook his head. "She just said she was facing a lot of issues these days and needed time to clear her head before deciding what to do." He hiccupped. "She… she said she's catching feelings for someone else… Hinata, what it she has already decided that she no longer wants to be with me?"

She sighed. "Kiba, as much as I want to tell you to be hopeful and stay positive, tell me, has she said 'I love you' back to you yet?"

His expression was enough of an answer. "Hinata... I know she doesn't love me like I love her. But I told her already to take as much time as she needs... As long as she returns to me by the end of the day."'

Hinata looks at him, eyes saddened. She knew the pain of unrequited love all too well.

She could do nothing else but to console him. Naruto had previously rejected her because he said there's someone else. And now Sakura was saying the same thing to Kiba. That couldn't be a coincidence could it?

She recalled how Sakura had made her jump the gun when it came to exploring her feelings. And while Hinata couldn't do the same for her, the least she could do is get her to spill if she intends to string Kiba along the way. That she certainly won't allow.

"I'm going away," Kiba decided, draining the last of the tea. "Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll just keep running. I can't stay here. Mother will sniff out that something is wrong at once." He got up suddenly, putting the cup on the counter. "Sorry to intrude Hinata."

Hinata had decided since she was already up, she may as well get dressed and return to her bedroom. She shook her head.

"It's ok. I'll walk out with you."

Sasuke

Naruto was the only one who sat with Uchiha Sasuke and gave him company. They sat in silence, eating from their bowls at lunch. The Hyūgas sat beside them, with the Inuzuka mutt whom, now that he thought about it, had resurfaced after quite a while. Didn't he have his lunches with Sakura outside? Sasuke preferred to be outdoors too and he had spotted them a couple of times, before he had taken to spending it indoors because that's where the violet haired beauty was found. She was turning out to be quite an eye candy for him.

"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke started, chewing slowly. "Where's Sakura?"

He figured the best way to get into speaking terms with the Hyūga princess was through their ex-teammate, who, granted, didn't exactly seem to care about him very much anymore. But she was good friends with Naruto.

Naruto looked around. "Oh, there she is, with Ino and Shikamaru. She's been sitting with them for some time."

"Oh?" Sasuke replied, disappointed.

"Well, yeah, since Inuzuka was away. I figured since he was back they might sit together again, but I'm guessing they split. Or else why would he be third-wheeling the Hyūgas?"

A bitter taste developed in Sasuke's mouth. "I still don't understand why is that Hyūga girl with that Hyūga rat? Was she forced?"

Naruto sighed. "Well, you know that marriages can't be forced anymore. And I heard that they're in love and it's not just an arranged marriage."

Sasuke scoffed. "Who would love that Hyūga cat?"

Naruto grinned. "I thought you just said he's a rat?"

"Huh. I can't decide. What he definitely is, is an ingrate." He looked around at Naruto. "So are you."

Naruto wondered why he was an ingrate as well. What did Sasuke know?

"What do you mean asshat? You're a hypocrite." He asked, taking a sip of his juice.

"A beautiful woman tried to confess to you," Sasuke accused. "And you shot her down."

Naruto spit his juice on Sasuke's face. Sasuke yelped, cursing Naruto colourfully.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ALL ABOUT BAKAYARO?"

Naruto wiped his mouth with his sleeve, looking sheepish.

"Never mind me, how the hell do you know about that?"

"I saw it!" Sasuke snapped. "You lied that you liked someone else."

"I do like someone else," Naruto said softly.

Sasuke backtracked at once. "Wait a minute. Loser, don't tell me you're still not over..."

Naruto looked at him intently. "No. I'm still not over it."

Sasuke was silenced. He weighed his next words carefully. It was seldom that Sasuke showed a considerate side of himself. And no one had to know it even existed. But Naruto was always an exception for him, annoying as he was.

"Naruto," he says, calling him by his name. "You're the only friend I have. You're the last person I want to see pining away like this. You have a full future. You have dreams. Don't let them go because of someone. People are lining up to be by your side. You have so many options. Don't waste away your life."

Naruto sighed, going back to playing with his food. "You're right." He sighed again, looking up. "You're right."

As Naruto was lost in thought, Sasuke continued, "Besides, I still don't understand how a crazy hot girl like her would ever just settle. I really do think she's being forced to do so by her family. How else would that Hyuga pest land someone like her? It's just hometown advantage."

"Why are you so interested?" Naruto asked curiously.

"I actually feel sorry for her," he replied back. "She's being made to settle with that cold, limp dick. I bet he can't even get it up. I thought the only way he could get laid was if he crawled up a chicken's ass and waited."

"SHHH," Naruto hushed. Sasuke was talking normally, but he felt that his voice carried. He had seen Neji turn to glance at them for a second or two.

"What are you shushing me for?" Sasuke demanded.

"I think he heard you," Naruto whispered back.

Sasuke scoffed. "You think I care? Poor girl has to suck an ice cold dick which I bet doesn't even last five seconds."

He didn't have much time to ponder because of what happened next.

The crowd at the Academy stood to observe their careful and calm sensei who was always going around breaking fights pull the new Uchiha student by the scruff of his collar and actively engage in one himself. The Uchiha didn't even blink. His eyes, instead, issued a challenge.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He spat.

"I heard you, Uchiha," Neji warned, his voice barely above a whisper, his breath on his face.

"And what is it that you heard?" Sasuke drawled back on Neji's face. "Ain't that the truth? I dare you, Hyūga."

"Coming through!" They heard Naruto, who was pushed aside in the ruckus, shuffling people aside to reach the kerfuffle just as Neji pulled back his palm. "Break it up you guys."

Neji growled before pushing Sasuke away, who brushed off his sleeve carelessly and adjusted his collar.

"Why do you always have to interfere, dobe?"

Naruto went red. He took his arm and dragged him away from the commotion.

"I'm just trying to save your ass you fuckin' dumbass!" He hissed. "Kakashi will have my ass as well as yours if you do anything dumb, you know that."

Sasuke laughed. "But Loser, I wasn't gonna do anything."

As they walked away, Ino had her phone whipped out, having recorded the entire thing. Sakura and her had already made her way to the front to calm Neji down. However, Sakura had stopped some ways behind, her breath caught in her throat when she caught sight of Hinata and Kiba rushing in from his other side.

"What's going on?" Hinata demanded.

Neji stayed silent. She turned to Sakura then and uttered the first words in her direction in 31 days.

"What happened?" She asked.

Sakura looked away, and Kiba did the same.

"Hinata, I think things are ok now..." He began to say, but she ignored him.

"Sakura?" She probed once more, forcing the pink haired girl to meet her eyes. She gulped.

"W-well, Hinata, it was really nothing."

"If it was nothing, why would Neji-kun make a spectacle of himself?" She wanted to know.

Neji cleared his throat. "Hinata-sama, it really was nothing."

She whipped her head in his direction. "I've told you not to call me that, especially in school," she hissed, and Neji was silenced.

This shocked both Kiba and Sakura and, for the first time in 31 days, they looked at each other, flabbergasted. Since when was Hinata so... Dominant? And that also over Neji of all people? She hadn't ever even been able to tell him that his training was too harsh sometimes and Sakura had to be the one to relay the message.

"Sasuke was being... Crude," Sakura finally replied, looking at Hinata.

"And why do you think I'm unable to take care of my own self?" Hinata turned towards Neji, wanting to know.

Neji flinched, and Sakura just looked at him in awe. People usually flinched when Neji so much as looked at them, and here he was, flinching under sweet, kind Hinata's gaze.

"I... No. It's nothing like that. It's... He..." Neji was at a loss for words, like Hinata used to be when Neji looked at Hinata, which appeared to be in the past now.

"He was insulting Neji, Hinata," Sakura intervened, trying to cover for Neji. She and Ino had heard what he had said, but she wanted to sustain Neji's pride since Shikamaru had mysteriously disappeared from the scene. Sasuke had actually been voicing quite loudly to Naruto how Neji couldn't find a girl himself so he had to be given one from his family and that Hinata might've been forced to be with him.

Hinata sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I thought you were above all that, Neji-kun."

Neji looked away, ashamed. "I'm sorry," he said. "I lost control. It was immature of me."

What Hinata didn't know was that Neji was indeed sorry that he had not come up with a better solution quicker. He would be sure to let Sasuke know his wrath in their combat training class. But he wondered, why was Sasuke trying to rile him up in the first place?

"Wow," Ino murmured, summing up the entire encounter perfectly.

Hinata

Hinata wondered why she was so cranky lately. Basically, everything annoyed her these days and nothing seemed to make her happy. People around her called her ungrateful, but she was getting tired of posing a happy image for everyone.

Kiba walking beside her wasn't helping her situation. Not a minute had gone by since he had returned that he hadn't wistfully looked away in the distance, keeping quiet, a trait very unlike him. She wondered how he had his life centred around one person only and how it could impact him so much. True, she had practically spent her entire life pining away after Naruto, but after he had rejected her, she had simply sought someone else, albeit with a push from her friend, the one responsible for hurting the man in front of her, a man who was closer to her than she was.

"I thought I had moved on," he finally spoke, plopping down outside on the grass he and Sakura used to sit on and have their lunch. He looked over at Rock Lee and Tenten a bit further away. Lee was doing pushups on the grass while Tenten sat on his back, wiping a kunai. They looked so at peace with each other's company.

"Five hundred and thirty one, five hundred and thirty two..." Lee's voice carried.

"Kiba, just find someone else," she snapped at him after he sighed again for practically the sixth time. It had been hard for him to encounter Sakura. "There are plenty of other girls around who would be more than happy to go out with you. It's been long enough. I think I took a month to move on myself."

"But… She just said she needed space. She… she hasn't broken up with me. Hinata, do you think she's already moved on and I don't even know about it yet? What happened while I was away? Hinata, I had to go away, see? Mother hates me moping around, according to her. It's a trait unbefitting for that of an Alpha. I… I had to think and run for some time. Away from here."

Well, at least he was talking, Hinata thought. And once he started talking, as usual, he rambled on and on.

He had always been insecure about his relationship with Sakura. How could someone so revered and drop dead gorgeous go out with him, he always wondered. How could someone so perfect be in a relationship with him, he had constantly asked her.

"I always knew it was too good to be true," he said sadly. "Do you think it's too late? Do you think I've lost all my chances? Why hasn't she said anything to me yet Hinata?"

Hinata sighed, trying to steady her nerves. "Why don't you ask her Kiba? Ask her directly if she loves you. She never said it did she? Maybe it's Naruto who has approached her. Naruto did tell me he liked someone else."

Kiba looked at her like a trapped puppy. "I can't! What if she says she doesn't want to see me again? At least she hasn't quite broken up with me yet. I can prolong the fanatsy a little bit longer, can't I?"

"No, you can't. If she likes someone else, you have to let her go," Hinata said sternly.

Kiba sighed, again. "How did you do it, Hinata? How were you so strong?"

Now that she thought about it, it was indeed intriguing how she had suddenly been able to move on. Now that she thought about it, she had jumped into a relationship quite soon. It still hurt that she had practically wasted away her entire life chasing after someone who didn't return her feelings. And she would try her hardest that Kiba didn't walk the same path.

"I wasn't, actually. I needed a push myself... Which she gave me. She said I was rebounding."

"Sakura-chan rebounded with me too," he reminded her. "Sasuke had left her back then. She told me it had been a mistake and a onetime thing the first time she slept with me, and I was fine with that, I was drunk too. But later then after a few days, she came to me herself. Is it Sasuke she's gone back to? Was I just a rebound after all?"

Hinata thought about Sasuke, that dark haired mysterious stranger. Something about him gave her chills. Maybe it was the way he looked at her. Why? Next time he did, she was going to call him out. Even though she had scolded Neji, she knew it had been because he had looked at her and said something insulting. But she didn't need his protective attitude. She could fend for herself, thank you very much.

"I don't know how things are supposed to be really," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how rebounds work, I don't think they apply in our case. It was just a rejection I had, followed by something I wanted to explore. I was never really in a relationship with Naruto, although I spent practically my entire life playing make believe in my head, so it felt like I was. But... I never thought about... doing that with Naruto. Neji is my first," she confessed.

His eyes filled with tears. "Me and Sakura, we're also each other's firsts. You're right," he finished, getting up. "I'm going to ask her."

Hinata felt strange. Did being in love really make you that irrational? Had she been the same way? Did she really lose all sense of her surroundings with the urge of her overwhelming feelings for a partner who didn't even reciprocate? How cold-hearted did you have to be, to know someone's feelings and carelessly brush them away even after they had been confessed? She thought about Neji. He told her he loved her almost every single day.

And she gulped as a sudden realisation hit her.

"Eight hundred and forty nine, eight hundred and fifty..." Lee continued from afar.

Much like Sakura to Kiba, Hinata had not said "I love you" back to Neji yet either.