AN/ thank you all for reading, following and favoriting my fic. It makes me so happy. I realized that maybe something's aren't so clear to the reader as they are to me. So I tried to clear them up a bit in this chapter. I get the feeling that readers are angry with my characters and I really like this because it means my words are making you guys feel something, but at the same time please do stick with the fic as things will get better for Hinata. I may think about writing perhaps a one shot from Naruto's POV, but for the purposes of this fic it wouldn't be appropriate, half the suspense comes from not knowing what's in a person's head. Anyway, on with the show:

Chapter 6

The onsen was situated at a beautiful coastal region with an adjoining mountainous range. Its cliff edge deceptively beautiful by entrapping the viewer into its shimmering prospects of sea waves and glinting sunlight between gaps in the clouds, while hiding its hundred foot drop to rocks and rubble below, acting as evidence to the soil erosion that time graced no mercy upon. Not for the first time Hinata took in large breaths of the seaside air and was very grateful she accepted to join her colleagues for the onsen trip.

The beautiful scenery reminded her of the pleasures in life she had neglected to enjoy, and the regular coastal walks she had routinely taken from when they first arrived two days ago, had reinvigorated her spirit in a way little else had. She thought back to her Aunt's words about finding another man to love, but in this moment, where the wind hugged her and the fresh grassy dew moistened her skirts, she felt she could live life perfectly contently with no one but the Earth as her companion.

She had not been alone in her walks. About fifteen of her colleagues had signed up to the onsen trip, and many of them would join her for her morning and afternoon walks. Initially it had been only her and Kiba-kun who would plan to set out for the ambulation, Karin being in another department had not been invited for the onsen trip, leaving Kiba down right mournful. Hinata took pity on him and he willingly agreed to accompany her along the coast, their number rapidly multiplied when it was discovered that others had made similar plans, and eventually a couplet had turned into an amalgamous group of walkers. Including Uzumaki Naruto, which meant Sakura was never far behind.

Hinata had thought she might feel pain seeing Naruto walking alongside Sakura as they conversed, and with the scenery of the sea behind them, they looked a picture of romance. But Hinata was pleased to discover that she felt only the dredges of sadness for herself and was proud she felt no malicious jealousy towards Sakura. Though slight envy at the lady's opportunity to be close to the gentleman remained tinted in her gaze.

Naruto on the other hand, had seemed to take a determined ignorance to her presence since the Plant Incident. Hinata had noticed he had barely looked at her, or even towards her way since the event, and she wondered if he had some sort of renewed anger at her. She could confidently surmise that seeing her Aunt had alerted him to the continued association Hinata had with her, and so his anger may have been rekindled by knowing Hinata still confided in a woman he knew had been the means of persuading her against a life with him.

His stoic avoidance of her had confused Hinata when the onsen trip began because she could almost believe she saw him looking her way a few times. She couldn't make sense of it, and didn't trust herself to judge if his fleeting glances were even real. Hinata shook her head from her thoughts and turned away from the retreating figures of Naruto and Sakura, and towards the spring sunshine kissing her face. She was determined against melancholy touching her here, where the world felt so majestic and joyful.

It was at this moment that a man approached to bypass her, the path being wide enough to only permit two, meant Kiba had to step behind her to allow the man to pass. As he passed by her, Hinata couldn't help but notice his tall build and solid gait. When she turned her eyes towards his face to nod a subtle acknowledgement to his presence (something she considered necessary due to the rarity of others on the coastal path), she noticed his handsome face which was looking directly at her and with a smile of appreciation, so pleased was he at what he saw that he had slowed down almost to a stop by distraction.

Hinata, unused to the attention, blushed furiously and carried on walking, she looked towards Kiba for rescue as he had resumed his position next to her, but he only grinned at her in wicked mischief. It appeared he had noticed. Not knowing how to handle such an uncommon situation, Hinata acted like nothing happened and carried on looking ahead, but was shocked to find Naruto having turned to look her way, an unreadable expression on his face before he turned back around and resumed walking. It appeared he had noticed too.

Nothing, not even the beauty of Mother Nature in all her glory, could distract Hinata from a tidal wave of speculation and conjecture. What could be the meaning of his actions? But Hinata wasn't allowed to reflect for long because Kiba lost no time in teasing her like a merciless teenager.

"Somebody's turning heads." He snickered, enjoying Hinata's deepening blush, "I don't think he could get enough of you." Kiba turned around "yup, he's still looking back at you." Shocked, Hinata did the same and indeed, could see the man's face in the distance turned from his trajectory to look her way. "Wow, I never knew you could turn that red."

"Kiba-kun…" retorted Hinata, unable to say anything more comprehensible to make him stop, but her reactions seemed to have fueled him even more,

"Aah Hinata, you deserve a little attention." Kiba gave her an appraising look, "you definitely look different" and she felt different too, the change of scenery and exercise had brightened her face, and her peaceful joy had outrun any gloom that lingered in her air and manner.

"I feel different" she responded, hoping he would forget about the stranger.

"I bet he noticed you look different too." Luck seemed to not be on her side today "I wonder who he is and why he was walking by himself. Maybe he's got one of those huge houses near here, and he'll turn up at the onsen to sweep you off your feet then romance you in the moonlight before taking you far away." So carried away was Kiba by his chuckling imaginations that his voice grew louder and louder with every word, so much so that his voice carried through the afternoon air to their neighbors. Hinata could have sworn she saw the back of Naruto's frame stiffen.

Her embarrassment took on more confusion, but one thing she was certain of, was that she wanted Kiba's poking teases to cease, and try as she might, they only stopped with the walk.

Back at the Onsen later that evening, Hinata soothed her mind as she dipped her towel clad body into the irresistible warmth of the women's only hot springs. Almost immediately she felt her mind relax and recede from the thoughts that had bounced around her skull to no end as a result of the events of the day. She had been accompanied by Ino and Sakura, who was followed by a pretty blonde woman who smiled politely to Hinata and sat in the onsen a few paces to her left.

"Oh I've been looking forward to this all day" said Ino as she descended into the waters with a sigh of contentment.

"Me too, there's nothing like a hot spring." She glanced at Hinata as she settled herself, "you do look different you know." She commented, making Hinata blush slightly.

"I hope that's a good thing" she responded quietly.

"Oh of course, something about this place has turned you into a little princess."

"I think you're exaggerating Sakura-san"

"No, I mean it." She insisted,

"She's right you know," added Ino, gazing at Hinata, "you should live at the onsen, it's turned your skin amazing."

"If I could I would, I really like it here."

"Wish I could live here too, and never have to work a day in my life again!" Said Sakura, her tone whining slightly.

"That would mean you would be separated from Naruto." Pointed out Ino.

"Ah Naruto, yeah I wouldn't want to be separated from him." Hinata tried not to respond, but she couldn't help it when her heart sped up a little. "Wish he could be here with me now, I'd like to know what he'd look like, in the water… shirtless." Sakura's eyes glazed over as she contemplated the vision.

Hinata felt decidedly uncomfortable and rather angry. She couldn't deny she would have just as much liked to have seen Naruto shirtless and in the water, but there was something in Sakura's tone that made her feel uncomfortable, Naruto was more than just a body and she didn't get the feeling Sakura appreciated the rest of him.

"I wish Sai could be here too. I miss him." Said Ino mournfully.

"How is he?" Asked Hinata, wanting to not ponder on Sakura's visage.

Ino brightened up, "he's well, he's adjusting being back from his secondment. I didn't realize just how big of a change it was for him. He's changed too, more frank and easier to communicate with."

"I'm glad to hear that." Replied Hinata,

"Yeah me too. He's going to meet me when we change coaches on the way back to Konoha, so we can travel home together. It's been really great having him back." Hinata expressed her happiness for her again. "I'm glad too. I didn't realize how good I had it until I almost lost it you know. He's barely mentioned the Naruto thing either, he's been really forgiving about that and still showing how much he values me."she sighed, "I'm a really lucky girl." That she was, Hinata felt genuinely happy for Ino, and wondered if Naruto would ever forgive her.

Just then the blonde woman spoke, "Excuse me, but I couldn't help noticing that you've mentioned a person called Naruto a few times," Hinata froze, "does he happen to be Uzumaki Naruto by any chance?" Sakura seemed to have woken from her daydream, and both she and Ino made the confirmation then introduced themselves and Hinata as his colleagues, "oh that's great, he did mention a team building trip. I'm a friend of his, my husband and I don't live far and Naruto invited us to join you all for dinner tonight, hopefully we'll get to sit together."

It didn't take long for Hinata and the woman to begin conversing and they found they had similar tastes in music and food, but also shared a passion for their surrounding scenery, that Hinata felt more comfortable in her presence than she had felt in a long time. Lisa, which was her name, held a kind countenance and engaging manners that made anyone who knew her feel at ease with themselves, she did not press you to speak if you chose not to, and gave Hinata the time it took to formulate her ideas, which was so often needed for her introspective mind.

When Hinata had quit the hot spring and dressed, she could see the effect had settled on her complexion as she assessed herself in the mirror. Wrapped in a simple Yukata, the white of the cloth had brought out the pink in her cheeks the water had managed to flourish, making her eyes appear more brighter and more salient in her face that reflected the growing happiness she felt within herself at simply being at peace. She nodded to her reflection once before leaving her room and making her way to the dining area.

When she had reached her destination she noticed Kiba had saved a seat for her beside him, being one of the last to arrive she appreciated his thoughtfulness, but it positioned her next to a man she hadn't met before. Three seats above from hers on the tatami mat held Naruto who she noticed had caught her eye for a few moments before turning to his friend beside him, and without any notice he began to make introductions to all at the table, Hinata found herself holding her breath when it came to her turn "Lee, this is Huuga Hinata, she is another colleague. Huuga-san, this is Rock Lee, and his wife Lisa-"

"Oh we've already met in the hot spring" interrupted Lisa, "and you were a pleasure to talk to." She said joyfully.

Naruto seemed to glide over the attention Hinata received to introduce her politely to the man sitting next to her "and this is Uchiha Sasuke."

Hinata smiled politely to the gentleman sitting next to her, he had dark hair to match his dark black eyes that set in a grim face, which did not smile back at her. He seemed the perfect example of melancholy and morose, and they appeared to have altered his features which she assumed were once probably very handsome at a happier time in his life. Uchiha Sasuke's silent air provoked her curiosity, what could have happened to him? But Hinata was drawn out of her thoughts when Naruto spoke again, "these are friends of mine from when I was at university," Hinata stiffened, that meant they had known Naruto when she had rejected him. She hoped they were not aware of her history with Naruto, but judging by at least Lee and Lisa's easy manners, she could confidently guess they were none the wiser. Recovering from her moment of insecurity, Hinata nodded her head politely before saying a happy but quiet greeting.

Folding her hands on her lap, she waited for the buffet food to arrive while she listened to Kiba or Lisa who were actively engaging her in conversation in turns. She looked up a few times and thought Naruto may have been turning his head away from her direction, but she negated the thought when she ascertained him to be speaking animatedly with Sakura who sat beside him faithfully. Hinata's dark eyed neighbor seemed resolute against any conversation which could have been misconstrued as rude by someone who felt inferior. But Hinata was a master at introspection and could detect another quiet and excessive thinker a mile away, which she did not doubt the Uchiha was one too, hence she felt somewhat comfortable in silence with him.

When the food arrived Hinata made her way to the buffet table as everyone else had, and was pleased that Lisa had joined to wait in line beside her.

"It's nice to finally meet Naruto-san's colleagues, he's mentioned how happy he is at his new workplace so it's great to have the opportunity to meet his colleagues."

"Likewise it's a pleasure to meet his friends" and they continued talking on matters of location, employment, and hobbies, until Lisa turned her voice lower so as not to be heard by others when she began thus:

"You probably noticed Sasuke being a bit quiet, I just wanted to say please don't take offense to him, he has suffered greatly. You see, he was engaged to my sister, and they had plans to marry when he built his career because they had been young when they first met, but when he did finally get established in his work, she…" here Lisa paused as her voice cracked, "Kagura, my sister, she contracted a spinal cancer and passed away, it happened so suddenly. One day she was walking fine, running even, she loved these coastal paths, and the next day she was slower and slower, a month later and she had passed. It was a horrid shock to all of us, but Sasuke, who I think feels quite deeply, was devastated and hasn't ever been able to be himself again."

Grieved, Hinata was profoundly affected, "I'm so sorry for your loss, that must have been a very difficult time for you all."

Lisa sighed, "yes it was, one of the worst times in my life actually. There is nothing quite like losing a sibling, especially in their youth."

Hinata hesitated, but as the subject was commenced by her companion she decided to take a risk, "excuse me if this is an impertinent question, but how is it that you can talk and act with ease and grace having suffered this trauma?"

Lisa just smiled warmly "I wasn't always this content, I guess the answer has something to do with accepting the difficult things that happen to us in life, but also appreciating the blessings we have. I owe a lot of my happiness to my husband, I don't know where I would be without Lee." Lisa exhaled happily with a soft smile on her face as she gazed in the direction of her husband, who was excitedly demonstrating some Karate moves to Naruto and consequently knocking several plates over. "maybe that's why Sasuke is so down, because he has very few willing to support him in his grief."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Hinata did not know why she made such an offer, she thought it may have something to do with being a sufferer of lost love too that empathized her towards the grieving man.

Lisa's eyes glowed up, as though an idea had just struck a lightbulb above her head, Hinata had a good idea what kind of idea it was, "That's very kind of you Hinata-san, if you tried to befriend him I'm sure it would do him some good, he's a great book reader, something my husband and I don't have the patience for. Do you like to read?" Hinata confessed that she did, "well, maybe you can ease him out of himself with the topic."

When she returned to her place on the tatami mat and the low dining table, Hinata looked towards her neighbor, after contemplating for several minutes on how best to communicate with her neighbor, she decided again, to simply take a risk.

"Erm…U- Uchiha san?" She was relieved that he turned towards her in response to his name, "this may seem a bit inappropriate considering we've just been introduced, but Lisa-san told me about your sad circumstances, and I just wanted to say from the deepest part of my heart, how sorry I am to hear it. I know what it is like to feel grief and I felt it would be best to be honest with you than pretend otherwise."

He looked surprised initially, but not angry, "Lisa-san can be a bit meddlesome but she means well. I'm sorry if she put you in a difficult position, but I appreciate your kindness and honesty." His expression remained grave but she could detect honesty in his own words.

"She mentioned you enjoy books." And they spoke heavily on the subject, comparing authors and comparing ideas. Hinata noticed he tended to fixate on authors with a disconsolate style. "Perhaps Uchiha-san it would be better if you varied your choices a bit more? I think Keats and Byron are enjoyable but only in moderation."

"indeed they can be quite strong, but I don't extract as much feeling from other writers."

"I would argue Uchiha-san, that reading is primarily for learning and growth, good literature is at the height of its entertainment value if it makes you feel, especially if it makes you feel acutely. But it's not possible to grow if you fixate on reading only to feel."

"You have a fair point there, what would you suggest then?" And she gave him some recommendations that varied from Maya Angelou, to Jane Austen, to George Orwell. He thanked her and said he would like to share his thoughts on the texts with her when he had read them, she readily complied.

"You know," said Sasuke, as he leaned back a little to gauge her face a bit more, "I initially thought you were just quiet, but you seem to come alive when you talk about things that matter to you." Hinata blushed red, not knowing how to respond she stuttered as she tried to thank him for the compliment, he smiled in answer and she noticed he was more handsome when he smiled. Feeling eyes on her, she instinctively turned to look across the table and was shocked to find Naruto looking back and forwards between her and Uchiha Sasuke, an unreadable expression on his face but one that looked subtly grave.