Hey, hey!

So, if you haven't caught on. They aren't 12 as Genin. They are practically 13/14 during some of this. Just wanted to point that out there. Now on with the chapter!

Time was flying by. Before Hinata knew it, six months had went by. She's been on team seven for six months.

It's been an interesting roller coaster. Ups and downs with her new teammates. Some good and some bad. Hinata could actually admit that there were more good times than bad times. She couldn't believe she was admitting that. Hinata never imagined that being on a team with someone like Uchiha Sasuke would bring anyone 'good' anything.

He wasn't THAT cruel.

Hinata thought team seven was going to be nothing but drama. Sasuke and Naruto going at it like cats and dogs, and in the beginning it was just like that. However, the two boys started getting along to some degree. Now it was bearable for them to be around one another. They didn't feel the need to insult one another all the time anymore.

Naruto was the most mellow and it surprised Hinata. She learned that Naruto's behavior of being loud and angry at Sasuke mainly happened when they were out around their peers. However, with just team seven around Naruto was attentive and tranquil.

Hinata was honestly happy with how Naruto and Sasuke's relationship had grown.

She was happy to see them happy. She was happy to see them at peace from their life of being ninja's so young.

It was funny. Even in the haze of her drunken nights. Hinata could still think about Naruto and Sasuke. If anything, she wanted them to be okay.

"What are you thinking about Hinata?"

Hinata blinked as she looked beside her. She stared at Naruto and almost forgot the three were sitting under a tree for shade waiting for their sensei. A nice breeze blew past her and it made Hinata smile at how refreshing it was.

"Nothing." She heard a snort from the other side of her and looked towards Sasuke, who was leaning against the tree with his eyes closed. "Liar."

Hinata frowned at this and started fidgeting with her pants. Both her hands working on picking at the fabric. Both Naruto and Sasuke swatted her fingers from picking at her pants. Naruto swatting one hand and Sasuke the other. The two did this and didn't say anything about the action. They just acted like it was second nature.

At this point. Almost seven months in of spending non-stop time with one another. They were used to Hinata's avoidance behavior.

"Y-Your birthday is tomorrow Naruto."

Naruto stopped from looking at Hinata's fingers and looked up at her. Sometimes he'd just stare at her hands because sometimes her fingers were a giveaway at how her night was. If she trained with her father that night, if she trained alone or with another family member.

It hurt him that Hinata still didn't flat out say what was happening at home. It hurt him to know every, single day she went back to a place she didn't want to be at.

Sasuke and Naruto still didn't know a lot about Hinata's family, but they knew enough about Hinata to connect the dots.

She was unhappy at home. Sasuke liked to think she was miserable, but they didn't know why.

They couldn't understand why she would come to meetups black and blue. What kind of training was she doing at home that left her so broken, yet no progress was really being done? It was still very weird and a mystery to the team.

Naruto was the first to bring it up. He brought it up to Sasuke, because Naruto knew what abuse looked like. He's dealt with it almost all his life from strangers. When Naruto brought it up to Sasuke. The young Uchiha paid more attention to the signs and after realizing Naruto was right. Sasuke couldn't stop paying attention to Hinata.

A rich and lavish lifestyle didn't cure abuse. Sasuke and Naruto knew, but Hinata still kept them at bay. Never have they been inside her home. They were still out of the loop. While it tore Naruto up, based off his personality. It enraged Sasuke. Making him not want to engage with Hinata sometimes.

What made matters worse. Kakashi still told them not to pry in Hinata's family life too much. It became frustrating sometimes. Especially when they could tell that her family life was causing damage to her professional life.

Not that it was hindering Naruto or Sasuke, but it just…bothered them.

When Hinata would have a rough night at home and she would come to do a mission or task and just looked absolutely mentally drained. Bags under her eyes. Bruises. Just overall defeated. That bothered them.

Still, true to Hinata's word. She wasn't a burden. She never wanted to hear those words come from them. She was just like…a ghost. It was like she was living just to make other people happy and not herself.

"Another question avoided from the master of avoidance. Hyuga Hinata." Sasuke said this while his eyes were still closed and Hinata chose to ignore him.

Sasuke and Hinata picked their battles between one another. When they would argue and when they wouldn't. More like when Sasuke would argue. Hinata never engaged with him. It was too much out of character for her to really get that worked up.

Plus honestly. Hinata half of the time was too spaced out. Two things usually flooded her mind. Her family and her alcohol. Nothing else really mattered. It was hard for her to look as if she cared about anything else. Hinata's main goal half the day was controlling her urges until she arrived home.

Hinata never engaging with Sasuke made him feel like he was borderline bullying her so he would often just leave her be. If his temper got the best of him then Naruto was there to intervene.

Naruto, in all his hyper glory, proved to be a good fit for Sasuke and Hinata. Both were quiet in nature and Naruto was getting good at reading them so they didn't have to speak out their frustrations.

Typically, if Sasuke or Hinata were at a level that they were voicing their frustrations. Then that meant they were already at a high level of being upset anyways for a long period of time.

Naruto smiled at the two, "It's not a big deal Sasuke. Just like my birthday Hinata. No biggie, nothing to worry about. It's just a 14th birthday! I'm surprised you even knew my birthday!"

Naruto laughed at this, but Hinata looked at him seriously, "I always knew your birthday. Besides. It's important to remember your teammates birthday. It's important to know who you're trusting with your life potentially."

Naruto gave Hinata an interested look. His eyebrow arched and he looked as if he caught her in something, "Oh…really? You think so too huh?" Hinata wouldn't even tell them her birthday.

Hinata blushed at this and started to poke her fingers together shyly, "I um…why don't we celebrate with dinner? I will take team seven out for your favorite meal Naruto."

Naruto smiled brightly at this. "Tonight?" He's gotten better with his volume control, there was no need to yell all the time with Sasuke and Hinata around. They never raised their voice, so there was no point in Naruto yelling to get their attention. He still was the hyper him, but it had toned down over the past few months.

Hinata looked over at Sasuke. Silently asking if he would be okay with attending. Sasuke could sense her staring at him and slowly opened his eye and looked back at her.

He eyed her. It had been months that they've been on a team together. While in the beginning Sasuke wanted nothing to do with a team. He wanted nothing to do with Naruto or this anxiety ball Hyuga girl. Now he found there presence not so hindering anymore.

Still. Sasuke had goals. He had to kill that man. He had to avenge his clan and he had to start the Uchiha clan again. He just had to. While Naruto wasn't a part of that picture, every day he could see Naruto fitting in it more and more. Sasuke hated to admit it, but Naruto was a good comrade and Sasuke dared to say Naruto was a good friend.

Naruto wasn't as dumb as Sasuke thought. It was just that mask Naruto would bring out when he was around strangers or certain people. He would immediately get louder than he usually was. He wouldn't make an attempt to think for himself. It annoyed Sasuke highly, but when they were alone. Naruto had sense. Sasuke could carry a conversation with Naruto and learned a lot about him.

Naruto's background and life story was utter shit. From the moment he was born Naruto has been viewed as bottom of the barrel from everyone. Sasuke found out that the villagers take extra pride in treating him like crap. That they've gone as low as to starving him out, or over charging him. Taking his money.

It made Sasuke mad. How no one gave Naruto a chance. Not even himself, so Sasuke had to be angry with himself as well. Naruto's loud, rebellious behavior was strictly a retaliation from how the village has treated him. In reality Naruto felt alone.

Hell, in all honesty Naruto was alone. Who did Naruto really have that understood him?

Sasuke knew a lot about Naruto. His favorite food, color, music, shows. Shit he's even been to Naruto's apartment.

Now Hinata? Sasuke knew as much about Hinata as he did when he first met her. She was that secretive. Yet, she was the nicest person he had ever met. She remembered his own birthday. She knew traditions from his clan and what days were special to an Uchiha.

Hinata knew what Sasuke liked to eat. His favorite food. Colors. Whatever calmed him down. Hinata knew it about him and Naruto, yet they didn't know anything about her. It didn't per say make Sasuke feel bad. She didn't share anything with them. Him and Naruto shared things between one another. Hinata never answered them and avoided anything personal.

She was a mystery. Too much of a mystery for Sasuke to say he'd in the future want to rebuild his clan with someone like her. It had passed his mind on picking Hinata. Mainly because she wasn't too annoying and they were on the same team.

While that was the last thing on his mind at the moment. When he achieves his first set of goals, this will be something he tackles next.

Hinata was from a well-known, prestige clan, but she was different than the rest of the Hyuga's. When you see a Hyuga you see wealth. Confidence. Power. You didn't see that in Hinata. Sasuke didn't understand it. He didn't understand her and it made him want to distance himself and at the same time become closer to her.

He wanted to protect Hinata and he didn't like that. He didn't understand why he felt all these annoying emotions for this girl.

"I'll go." Sasuke had no clue why he would want to spend any more time with someone as hidden as Hinata. She almost gave off an aura that she was untrustful.

Hinata stared at Sasuke a moment longer. It seemed as if she could read his mind because even though he agreed to go, the smile she had slid off her face and her eyebrows scrunched together.

This caught Sasuke off guard. It was rare she really looked at Sasuke. It was rare she really gave eye contact to anyone. So, for Hinata to really look at him…this interested Sasuke.

It meant she was starting to care about him. The question is was it on the same level as her beloved Naruto? Not that Sasuke cared, but he doubted it was on the same level.

"What? I said I'll go. Stop staring at me like that."

Hinata eyes widened and she looked off from Sasuke and to the oncoming footsteps. The trio under the tree saw their sensei coming towards them and for the most part. Kakashi looked annoyed. "Well…Naruto the Hokage has informed me about your frustrations. ALL of your frustrations."

Hinata looked at Naruto in confusion while Sasuke covered his face in annoyance. "You blockhead. I told you to not to do it. I told you to leave the Hokage alone."

Naruto rolled his eyes as he looked at Sasuke, "Oh shut-up Sasuke! You're sick of these stupid D-ranked missions too! Their freaking BORING. We're not learning anything at ALL. How the heck am I supposed to become Hokage when I'm stuck on low mission assignments."

Hinata bit on her bottom lip. Was their sensei angry with them? Why would Naruto do this? What if the Hokage got upset and told Kakashi and her father about Naruto's insubordination?

Kakashi rolled his eyes at Naruto. "Did you talk this over with all your teammates or just Sasuke? From the look on Hinata's face, she seems to be lost at what you did."

Sasuke and Naruto looked over at Hinata. She looked absolutely terrified.

Naruto felt like his stomach dropped. He forgot. About her life at home. He didn't mean to upset Hinata. He just wanted them to do something worth their time as a team. He wanted them to progress. "Well…I umm. I didn't talk to Hinata about it and Sasuke kind of just caught me in the act one time. Hinata…I hope you're not mad. Are you?"

The way Hinata gripped her pants and craned her neck towards Naruto with a beet red face looked like she was more than mad. It looked like she was livid. Sasuke blinked as he looked at Hinata because he's never seen her actually borderline angry.

"I-I…I am n-n-not upset a-at all. P-Please do n-n-not worry." Naruto gulped. She was definitely mad. Hinata would never admit to such a thing though.

Naruto turned and looked at Kakashi, "The old man didn't say he was mad at team seven did he? I'm fine with him being mad at me, but I don't want him getting upset at everyone else. That's just how me and him talk."

Kakashi let out a heavy sigh, "Use your head next time Naruto. Doing stuff like this can affect your teammates. Hinata's father is on the council. Not only that her father has direct access to the Hokage with no appointment necessary. The Hokage receives quite a bit of aid from the leader of the Hyuga clan. So it would be VERY easy for Hinata's father to find out if someone from her team is causing problems. So yes, you could very easily get Hinata in trouble."

Naruto's mouth dropped and he turned and looked at Hinata, who was currently trying to burry herself in her oversized clothing. The dots connecting even more for Naruto and Sasuke. Validating what they believed all along.

Did this mean Hinata would have another bruise coming back to them tomorrow? Sasuke and Naruto wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if she did.

Naruto for once felt like he wanted to cry for someone else's misery. "Hinata…I am so SORRY. I didn't-"

"N-No. I…I am sorry Naruto. Y-You shouldn't have to w-walk on eggshells b-because of me." Sasuke snapped his head over to look at Hinata from Naruto. He was so confused and angry at the same time. Naruto knew better. He should have used his head.

"You're apologizing to Naruto because he was being an idiot?" Hinata frowned at Sasuke's words and refrained from looking at him. "I-I…I am apologizing b-because I am being a…a burden. I am sorry. To the both of you."

Sasuke threw his arms up and looked so annoyed with the situation, "So, what's our punishment for the dobe being disrespectful…again."

Naruto looked like a kicked puppy at the situation. He felt absolutely terrible. He felt a warm hand touch his in a comforting manner and give his hand light squeeze. When he looked up he saw Hinata smiling at him. She didn't say anything, but Naruto could see it was a genuine smile. This caused him to smile back at her. His own genuine smile.

Sasuke growled at the scene. She was so fucking annoying.

Couldn't this stupid girl see HE was defending her just now. Encouraging her not to apologize to them. Especially to Naruto because he got away with pure murder with Hinata. What does she do though? She comforts Naruto for almost getting THEM in trouble. This was why Sasuke was so annoyed with females.

Especially this female.

She chose Naruto. It was clear and it wasn't like Sasuke would ever be in competition for a female. Still, this girl that could have ANYTHING and ANYONE she's ever wanted. She fucking chose NARUTO. Praised Naruto. All Sasuke got were looks of disappointment from his attitude.

How he was acting like a complete asshole. Nothing positive. Unless she was bunching him and Naruto together and Sasuke was getting SICK of it.

Yes! Yes, they were a team. Still, he was Sasuke and Naruto was Naruto. They were two different fucking people and Hinata couldn't find it in her to separate the two when giving them a compliment.

She can for Naruto though.

Sasuke TRIED. Right in this moment he TRIED to show he sympathized with her. That he thought she was in the right. He tried to uplift her and yet she chose Naruto's side to take. Sasuke was getting sick of this. It was mentally draining him day in and day out to be on the outside of Naruto and Hinata's, 'team'.

Why was he the outcast?

Kakashi smiled under his mask at this scene. He swore it was like watching a movie. Sasuke was literally FUMING. Sasuke just didn't know he was fuming off jealousy.

Plus. Sasuke didn't understand that Hinata didn't need his 'sympathy'. She's showed signs time and time again that she could handle whatever repercussions were thrown her way. Hinata wanted honest respect from Sasuke, and he failed to provide that just yet.

Sasuke failed to provide that to anyone right now. His own walls built around him still too stubborn to let people in. Yet, Sasuke wanted Hinata to let him in. It didn't work that way.

"The punishment is a C-ranked mission. You got your wish you numbskull. We'll be leaving the village to do an escorting mission. A bridge builder. Let's take a walk and I'll fill you three in."

Naruto smiled happily at his hot bowl of ramen. It was his third bowl and he was in absolute heaven. The steaming bowl was so comforting, especially now that it started to get cooler at night. Hinata said he could eat as much as he wanted, so he would totally be getting some to-go as well.

"Hinata you are the absolute BEST!"

Sasuke was beside Naruto and eyed the loud blonde in an annoyed manner. "We are all sitting beside each other. Stop yelling you moron." Naruto ignored him. He kept slurping loudly in Sasuke's ear and the young Uchiha was losing his patience. They were out in public so Naruto typically acted like an idiot in these moments.

Kakashi elbowed Sasuke to get his attention. He leaned over and mumbled in his ear quietly, "It's for his birthday. Relax a little would you."

Sasuke closed and rolled his eyes. He took a deep breath to calm himself. He immediately grew annoyed again when he heard girls laughing. Sasuke opened his eyes because that wasn't Hinata laughing. Hinata's laughter was quiet and not annoying at all.

He liked Hinata's laugh.

Sasuke saw two females. A blonde girl and a girl with pink hair. He knew them very well. Ino and Sakura, the two girls from their academy class. His fan girls.

This couldn't get any worse. "SAKURA!"

Naruto screamed her name in Sasuke's ears and Sasuke just wanted to pull a Hinata and make himself invisible. Sasuke spared Hinata a glance and noticed that Hinata was more into her food than she was to the females that walked in.

"Naruto! Stop yelling like an idiot! We're all in the same area you moron!" Sasuke frowned at Sakura. She was yelling at Naruto to stop yelling. This made no sense. He started to rub his temples in annoyance. "Naruto. Shut up and just eat-" Sasuke didn't finish speaking as he was tackled by Ino.

Hinata quietly looked at the two females from the side of her eye. Ino was very pretty. She was blonde. She had pretty colorful eyes that looked like aqua pools. She had a nice shape and was the envy of all the girls. Even her close friend Sakura was jealous of Ino's looks. Plus on top of that. Ino was top graduate of their class, along with a boy named Shino and Sasuke.

Sakura was just as pretty. With beautiful emerald green eyes. In Hinata's opinion she was just as smart as Ino and Sakura was always so successful. Sakura had gotten the sensei that Hinata was actually silently hoping she would get.

Kurenai was a new Jonin and whenever Hinata saw her around the village, Kurenai was nice to her. She was very beautiful too. Hinata wished she had a sensei that could get her to be confident and tap into her feminine features.

She wished she was like regular girls, but she wasn't. She was her. Someone utterly useless. An ugly girl that stuck to the wall and no one would ever notice her when girls like Sakura and Ino walked in.

Ino hugged on to Sasuke and smiled flirtatiously to him. Sakura looked totally annoyed at this and kept mushing Naruto in the face as he kept trying to shoot his shot with her.

Soon the two females teammates came in. Ino's teammates were Shikamaru and Choji. They both looked annoyed at what Ino was doing. Especially Shikamaru, who looked like he just wanted to sit down and eat.

Hinata looked at the two. Shikamaru caught the meek stare from her and actually smiled at Hinata because she offered the two boys her seat and the seat beside her. "P-Please. There are n-n-no more seats available a-and you look hungry. I am full." Who were they to say no to that. Especially Choji.

Sakura's teammates came as well. Shino and Kiba. With Kiba's furry companion tagging along on top of Kiba's head. Hinata smiled at the friendly dog, she always liked animals. She always wanted a furry friend, but her father wouldn't allow it. Choji turned around and looked at Hinata confused, "Hey. You still have a full bowl." Hinata just smiled at him and told him he could have it.

The new group of people were pushing Hinata further in the back without anyone even noticing. It was easy for her to fade in the back anyways. Hinata noticed how her own sensei was preoccupied talking to his fellow comrades. Asuma and Kurenai.

After about the fourth rejection Naruto finally turned his seat to where Hinata was sitting to sulk. Only to see Hinata wasn't sitting there anymore. His eyes widened and he blinked several times as he saw it was Choji chowing down on the food Hinata was eating. "Hey! What the hell are you doing?! What did you do with Hinata?!"

Choji stopped and looked at Naruto like he was crazy. Shikamaru ordered his food and looked at Naruto bored, "What are you yelling for? Hinata gave us the space. She said she was full. Obviously she lied. Look, she didn't even eat her food."

Naruto swung his seat around so he could look behind him. It was a lot of people in here now. Some he knew, some he didn't know.

Where the hell was Hinata? Did she leave? He looked over at Sasuke and saw that Sasuke was actually doing the same thing he was doing. The young Uchiha was an expert of ignoring Sakura and Ino. Or any other girl if he was being honest.

Sasuke had noticed a large pile of money with a note siting on the counter. The restaurant owner was reading the note and looked over at Naruto and gave him a thumbs up. "You're all good kid! Lady Hinata paid for you and all of your friends."

Sasuke immediately shoved another random girl from around him, "She WHAT?!"

At that moment Sakura was actually talking to Naruto and was picking at his bowl of Ramen. "I know. You guys didn't see her walk up here and pay? Where did she get all that money! That was so nice of her too." Naruto stood up from his seat and ignored Sakura as he continued to look for Hinata.

Dammit. Why did she have to be so good at hiding herself in plain sight?!

"Naruto. Sasuke." Both boys stopped and looked at Kakashi, who was pointing at the exit of the hut. There was Hinata at the exit entryway with some guy. He was taller than her, looked like a year or two older. He had brown long hair and eyes similar to Hinata's. Naruto scrunched his eyebrows together, "Who the hell is that?"

The two boys from team seven made their way through the crowd quick as they approached Hinata. Finally able to hear what the two were talking about.

The male was clearly the dominating one in this conversation. Hinata was literally shaking while she was talking to him. She was terrified. "What are you doing here? Are you that stupid? Look how crowded it is and you're sitting back here in the open."

Hinata didn't even look up at him. She stared at his center and just let him talk down to her. Pieces after pieces of her life were being connected for Naruto and Sasuke. Hinata didn't even have to say anything. "I-I-I…"

"Please shut up. Do me that favor. Do not utter another word to me from here all the way to the compound. Understood?" Hinata nodded her head vigorously.

Naruto just saw red.

He almost tackled the older Hyuga to the ground but was yoked up by Kakashi. "What do we have here? Nice to see you again Neji. How are you doing tonight?"

Neji looked over at Kakashi annoyed. He straightened himself in a respectful manner and gave Kakashi a respectful bow. "Good evening Kakashi-sama. I was ordered to bring Lady Hinata home. For training. So, if you don't mind."

Naruto all but snarled at him, "No. Talk to her like you did before. You piece of crap. Who are you to talk to Hinata like that!" Neji just stared at Naruto, he looked slightly disgusted.

"These two must be your teammates lady Hinata. No wonder it takes you forever to complete your low missions. These two look as if they can barely support themselves and now they have to take care of your shortcomings as well."

Kakashi wasn't able to snatch Sasuke, who was able to catch Neji off guard and shove him as hard as he could outside the hut. Away from prying eyes. Neji didn't fall from the push but was off balance for only a moment. He gave Sasuke a deadly look and looked at Hinata, "I advise you to control your teammates…Hinata."

Hinata's eyes were the size of saucers. Naruto and Sasuke had never seen her eyes get so big. "Or would you rather me to show them the real strength of a Hyuga. Since you seem to forget who you are."

This time Hinata shook her head urgently. "T-t-that won't be neces-s-ssary! We are l-leaving to go to m-my father. I-I-I must go now. I hope you enjoy your birthday N-Naruto. P-P-Please go b-b-back inside and enjoy the n-night with f-friends." Sasuke had never heard Hinata sound so terrified and stutter so bad.

Naruto looked at Kakashi sharply, "You're going to really let her leave with this psycho."

Neji almost got out of character and snarled at Naruto. He held his composure though and placed his hand on Hinata's shoulder. Ignoring how she flinched, "This is my cousin you moron. Her father is my uncle. Come along Hinata."

Hinata gave a wobbling smile as she turned around to walk with her cousin. Naruto looked absolutely livid. He snatched himself from Kakashi and looked up at his sensei with fire in his eyes, "I'm going after her."

Kakashi looked down at Naruto calmly, "And do what? Trust me. That kid Neji is a higher level than you can deal with. He would crush you like a bug. Both of you."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi and his anger was starting to rival Naruto's. "So what? You're just going to let her go back home? Go home and continue living in hell. That's what's happening. We're not stupid you know. You tell us not to question about her family, but we don't have to. It's obvious what is happening to her. We can't do anything about it. You're saying you can't either?"

Kakashi remained calm in front of the two hotheaded boys, "No. I can do something about it. I'll be going over there tonight anyways. Hinata forgot her food of course."

Naruto looked at Kakashi confused. Hinata didn't forget her food she gave it away. Realization slowly started to dawn on Naruto and a big smile came across his face. An excuse to go save Hinata! "Fuck yeah! Count me in!"

Kakashi folded his arms across his chest as he looked at Naruto. "No. You and Sasuke stay behind. You two can't be there. It'll only make matters worse."

Neji is now introduced. Soon more of the Hyuga clan will be introduced in the story.

At this point in time. Team Seven has that odd family dynamic plus that awkward love triangle. A love triangle that Naruto and Hinata really don't know they are apart of because in Hinata's mind no one really could care or love her.

As you can see Hinata's world is starting to crumble. Naruto and Sasuke are starting to see what Hinata tried to hide for so long. Next chapter will be one of those chapters that I have when everything starts to go off like fireworks.

Well see you next chapter!