Hey, hey!

We are in the saga of Hinata staying with Kakashi before the start of the Chunin exams. So there will be plenty of moments that build the characters relationships. As well as show the shift to things being more Hyuga centric.

Hope you enjoy!

Hanabi smiled across the table from Hinata. Hinata wanted to take Hanabi out for a special occasion. It was December 27th after all. It was Hinata's request because she wanted to spend time with her sister. Hanabi has always been a joy to be around. Her spunky and fun-loving personality always brought a smile to Hinata's face.

Hinata chose to ignore how she was told that she wasn't allowed in her own home to celebrate her birthday with her own sister. So, Hanabi accepted Hinata's request to leave out the Hyuga compound. Hinata as a thank you to her sister, let Hanabi pick where they celebrated.

Hanabi chose a sweet bakery shop because she knew Hinata would love it there. The sisters rarely went out to eat, and definitely didn't go out to eat for sweets if they did go out. Unfortunately since eating at home wasn't an option, this would have to do. Tension at home was brewing with the absence of Hinata. It seemed some people were not happy that Hiashi let Hinata leave with an outsider for support.

They were the only support Hinata needed. Good or bad. She needed to accept this.

"Hinata! These are nice and hot. They taste so good when they just bake the cinnamon rolls. Right?!" Hanabi smiled as she ate the sweet deliciousness. Hinata smiled back at Hanabi and was happy she could see her little sister…be a kid. Hinata always wanted to shelter Hanabi. To protect her from the grumpy old angry people in their clan.

Especially the grumpy old men in her clan. Some of them tended to have wandering hands. Hinata's grandfather were one of them.

"Don't overdo it Hanabi. Lord Hiashi would have a fit."

Hanabi gave Neji a dull look and rolled her eyes as she ignored him. Hinata giggled at Hanabi, but didn't dare look at the icy look Neji gave her. Neji sat at the same table as them and had his arms crossed as he watched the two girls eat.

Hinata's annoyed cousin were one of the people upset that Hinata was sent to outsiders for 'support'. Neji wasn't perfect to Hinata. He was downright evil at times, but he felt if he was granted the appropriate freedom he could do a hell of a lot better than what that 'team seven' was doing for her.

Neji didn't think Hinata needed 'support' and coddling. She needed a reality check. "So, you're really not going to celebrate your birthday within the compound?"

Neji said this and made a 'tsk' sound because this was ridiculous. He could care less about Hinata being out the compound. It's just the unnecessary drama and attention that came with her being gone. More attention was being pointed to himself and Hanabi and unlike Hinata, Neji didn't have the power to protect Hanabi from the darkening criticism.

One mutual understanding Neji and Hinata had was Hanabi. They both cared about her innocence. Neji and Hinata's innocence was stripped a long time ago, Hanabi deserved to stay this hyperactive, disobedient, fireball.

Hinata chewed on the sweet dessert as she continued to focus on anything but Neji. "I was told I could not be there for my birthday…Neji."

Neji had his arms crossed over his chest and was glaring at the sweet, unhealthy dessert. He looked up at Hinata when she spoke and glared at her witty comeback. One thing she did pick up from that team was a smart mouth. If she could back it up, then she'd deserve to talk however she wanted. "I forget Hinata. You're a coward."

"That's enough Neji. This is Hinata's birthday and we will be joyful." Neji continued to glare at Hinata and Hinata continued to not look at him as she ate. Hanabi frowned and her own temper was rising. "Or do I need to tell father about your behavior."

That seemed to catch Neji's attention and he turned away from Hinata to look out the shops window. Hinata sighed at Hanabi and reached over to lightly touch Hanabi's hand. Hanabi was a firecracker, but Hinata didn't want her to lose her innocence so soon. She didn't want her family to rub off on Hanabi already. In the past, the three of them used to be so close.

Hinata missed that. That's all she wanted back.

"Sister. Please don't do that. Neji is fine. He's voicing his opinion. We all have our opinions. You're going to be leader sooner or later. Please understand that even you Hanabi, are no better than anyone else in our clan. Just because you are free from the caged bird seal, doesn't make you any better. No one, and I repeat, no one is better than anyone. We all have our shortcomings. "

Hanabi pouted at this. "But! He's always being a jerk for no reason when you are around."

Neji snapped his head back over to Hanabi before looking at Hinata. He listened to what Hinata said. He's heard Hinata say it to other main house family members if they grew out of line to branch family members.

Hinata was the true leader. Neji knew that when he looked between Hinata and Hanabi. She was mature far beyond her years and had the equal understanding it took to be a real leader. Hanabi probably never would have this understanding.

That being said, Hinata needed to come back home. She needed to understand her role and see that she was indeed needed back. Neji would NEVER admit this to Hinata, but he needed her back. So, Hinata needed to get stronger. "You know if you want to keep her like this. If you want to protect her you'll have to grow a backbone and get the title back. You have to come back Hinata."

Hinata leaned back in her chair and finally looked at Neji. This surprised him. The maturity and authoritative look in Hinata's eyes. Like she was telling him she knew this already. The two held eye contact for a moment before Hinata spoke up. "How?"

Neji blinked for a moment. Caught off guard by Hinata's blunt statement. "You want to come back?" Hinata nodded her head and still looked at him. She wanted to come back for the same reasons as Neji, and her own personal reasons.

Less restrictions. No one at home would catch her if she snuck out. There was a liquor cabinet at home if she was that desperate as well.

Hinata waited for Neji's 'glorious' answer to solve everything. "You can start by not training alone anymore. Your form is not desired at all and needs a lot of work still. Train with me and Lord Hiashi. Personally. Take the harsh training. You'll get better."

Hinata slowly nodded her head in understanding as she smiled at the server that brought over three chocolate milkshakes. Hanabi smiled brightly at the sweet beverage. She'd be bouncing off the walls all night bothering Neji.

Neji looked at the third milkshake oddly. He didn't order anything. Hinata started to drink her milkshake before silently sliding Neji over the extra milkshake.

She knew he liked a good milkshake.

Hinata smiled as she finished up preparing dinner. It was her birthday dinner and she volunteered to cook.

Kakashi declined Hinata cooking at first. It was her birthday after all. Why would she want to cook and clean on her birthday? That is an odd thing to do. However, Hinata insisted and stated that she liked to cook and it was relaxing for her. It made her happy for people to try her cooking and if people enjoyed it that just sent her into a joyful overload.

Typically on her birthday she would cook for her sister Hanabi. However, this year it could not happen, so Hinata wanted to cook for her teammates. Her special people.

Kakashi lounged on his couch. Reading his oh so very special novel while he heard Hinata busying herself in the kitchen. Naruto and Sasuke were on her like white on rice so Kakashi decided to give the young teens some privacy. Not too much because heaven forbid he catch Naruto in a lip lock with Hinata again. It was a sight Kakashi wished he could burn from the back of his skull.

It was awkward for Kakashi and he knew by Hinata passing out that it was awkward for her. What caught Kakashi off guard was Sasuke being present and relaxing beside the two other teens. Like he didn't care nor was jealous. Kakashi clearly could see that Sasuke liked Hinata.

So…what the hell was going on?

This was something Kakashi wanted to know, but at the same time really DIDN'T want to know.

He was just glad it wasn't the typical, stupid love triangle crap that he's seen time and time again. It ruined teams. It ruined friendships even if the female wasn't on the same team. Kakashi was thankful Hinata wasn't a female that openly gushed over someone she liked. If she was like some of the young girls Kakashi came across, Hinata would have already put Sasuke in a jealous rage and the team would have been broken apart before it even began.

Hinata smiled as she took a small bite of her baked fish with her cooking utensil. She turned to Sasuke, who was leaning his back against the counter near her and offered him a bite. His arms were folded over his chest and he looked at her before he looked down at the steaming food. He opened his mouth and ate the fish.

Hinata blushed when he looked at her. Sasuke just looked so relaxed and different when it was just them around. He didn't wear his ninja gear and just looked stress-free and at peace.

Peace. That was all Hinata wished Sasuke could have. In his heart, mind and soul.

She rather liked seeing Sasuke relaxed. Even if he didn't smile bright and have a chipper persona like Naruto. Hinata could tell that right now, in this moment, Sasuke was happy. Just like she was.

It was a small bite, but afterwards Sasuke wished he had his plate already. It was good.

Seasoned perfectly and it was juicy. It didn't taste like the water it once swam in and Sasuke smiled because Hinata even took in the extra work to take all the bones out of the fish.

A while back. Sasuke didn't think Hinata could cook. However, Sasuke pulled his head out his ass, and he realized Hinata made all of her meals. Not servants.

So, now he figured Hinata could cook, but not on the level of whole hearty meals. Meals that his mother once made. She was spoiling him and Naruto.

Sasuke nodded his head in approval and that was enough of a praise that it brought a big smile to Hinata's face. She went back to her dish and picked up some seasoned and steamed vegetables and turned towards Naruto. He looked at the healthy substance and scrunched his face up. He wanted the fish too.

Hinata's smile faltered and Naruto immediately felt bad. Sasuke frowned at him and sent Naruto a hot glare. Telling him to fix it.

Alright. He'll try it.

Naruto leaned over, took Hinata's hand with the vegetables and opened his mouth. Taking the hot vegetables in his mouth without Hinata having to feed him. Naruto kept his hold on Hinata's hand as he tasted the food. He could taste the peppers and slight salt with the carrots and zucchinis. Naruto looked on the counter and saw numerous seasoning.

Rosemary. Thyme. Basil. Garlic Powder. It was a lot of other spices on the table. Some he couldn't even name. "What vegetable is this?" Hinata followed Naruto's eyes and smiled at his curiosity. "It's an eggplant. I like to use it with my veggies. It goes good with the zucchini and not too sweet and tangy like squash. Good for fish."

Naruto nodded his head. He looked back at Hinata and smirked at her. "Veggies?" Hinata blushed and laughed at the silly nicknames she creates when she is cooking. Naruto smiled at this and let go of Hinata's hand. "It's really good Hinata. I didn't know you could make vegetables taste good like that. I want extras on my plate!"

Kakashi smiled to himself. It felt good to hear Naruto say that. He never thought Naruto would start to enjoy anything other than high sodium food groups.

Sasuke used a chopstick and poked in Hinata's dish to get a grape tomato from her salad bowl. He quickly ate the tiny morsel before Hinata caught him. She whipped around and mock glared at Sasuke. He smiled wickedly at Hinata as she shooed him out the kitchen.

Once Hinata prepared the plates and placed them on the table. Everyone sat down to dig in. Kakashi opting to eat his dinner at a later time. He wanted the young adults to enjoy the moment. Plus he wanted to have a little conversation with Hinata. "How was your outing with your sister Hinata?"

Hinata took a sip of her lemon water before looking at Kakashi curiously. "Oh. Umm it was fine. Hanabi is growing so much, but she still eats chocolate like a kid. She loves chocolate. Especially a double chocolate milkshake with fudge and cookie crumbles on top." She gushed about this. Kakashi could see how much Hinata loved her sister.

He was sure she was masking the hurt that her family told her to not be home for her birthday. That since she wanted to be around outsiders she could celebrate with them. Surely they knew doing this would fuel Hinata's depression. Kakashi knew it would make her cravings go into overdrive today.

Kakashi was growing a strong dislike for the Hyuga clan.

"I know Hanabi needs an escort. So, who escorted you and Hanabi?" Kakashi dove right into the nitty gritty because he knew the answer already. He watched as Hinata's cousin Neji walked with Hinata and Hanabi back to his apartment to drop Hinata off.

Kakashi didn't mind Neji. He knew Neji was a foot soldier. Just doing what he was told to do. He also knew Neji was a marked Hyuga and hated Hinata's father. Yet, he had this love and hate relationship with Hinata. Meaning Neji knew more about Hinata than Kakashi and Hinata's teammates and that bothered Kakashi.

The two were toxic for each other. They'd keep each other's secrets and whatever bad habit the two had they'd support one another with it. Neji knew if Hinata went back home right now she'd relapse. However, for whatever selfish reason. Kakashi could see Neji didn't care. Kakashi spent some time since Hinata has been staying with him trying to figure out WHY Hinata and Neji depended on one another like this.

They said for Hanabi, but Kakashi felt like it was other things.

Hinata grew silent for a moment. Sensing that she was caught and did something wrong. "Neji." Naruto stopped eating and looked at Hinata completely caught off guard. "Neji? Why?"

"Yeah Hinata. Why?" Kakashi looked at her and the sarcasm was clearly evident in his voice. Hinata cleared her voice and picked at her dinner. "He is Hanabi's guard. He protects her when she leaves our home without my father. If I wanted to see Hanabi, Neji would have to be present."

Kakashi nodded his head at this. "Hmm. Still. I remember saying to not associate with Neji for a while. I guess I wasn't specific on how long, but this is still too soon Hinata. Okay?" Hinata was silent, because it wasn't okay. She felt as if she was fine. She was ready to go back home.

Her sister needed her. Neji hinted that he needed her. She was wasting time trying to better herself. When Hinata thought about her family and the sacrifices needed for her sister, her life didn't matter anymore.

There was that side of things, and there was the other selfish side Hinata was thinking about. She hadn't escaped in a while. Half of her wanted to very badly, because today was her birthday and she usually got very intoxicated this day in previous years. The other half was screaming for her to not give in.

"H-How long then?" Kakashi arched a brow at Hinata. They've been back for a little over a month. Getting back in the groove of training and even preparing for the upcoming Chunin exams. "How long what Hinata?"

Hinata finally willed herself to look up at Kakashi and made eye contact. "H-How long until I can interact with Neji?" Kakashi had restricted Hinata from interacting and training with Neji. She was restricted from training with her father as well. Hiashi gladly agreed to this. Not having time to deal with the burden anyways.

Either that, or Hiashi was waiting for Hinata to come crawling back to him. Thinking about their previous mission and how heavily Hinata relied on her family and father for her shortcomings. Kakashi knew that Hiashi only agreed to Hinata staying with him because Hiashi wanted to see Hinata scared and crawling back to him. That way it would be easier to mold her.

Kakashi laid one leg over the other and leaned back in his chair as he watched Hinata. As he knew, it was too soon. Hinata didn't have the backbone to stand up to her family just yet and whatever her cousin Neji told her to do. She'd do it. She'd relapse and push everyone away again.

The problem that Hinata had that annoyed Kakashi was she thought self-harm was what they were watching her for. No. Her depressive state was just as worse. Just as dangerous. Detaching yourself from the world and people that cared about you was deadly. "Why Hinata?"

"I agree with Kakashi. Why the sudden inquiry?" Sasuke looked up at Hinata finally. He was silent the whole time taking in the conversation and realizing Hinata was beating around the bush. Naruto silently stared at Hinata as he was picking up the same body language Sasuke was picking up on.

If she went back to her family. She'd listen to them again and push them away. Naruto has been pushed away by Hinata before. It was painful. It really hurt him. He didn't want her to be like that again.

Hinata looked back down at her plate. "So I could train with him. With my family again. I am falling behind and I need to catch up." She needed to protect her sister from the harsh reality of what her family really was. What some of the people there were capable of.

The table grew quiet and Hinata resumed eating her dinner to escape the awkward silence. She didn't want them angry at her. Upset with something that she must do. Kakashi watched as she attempted to melt away from the situation and engorge herself with food. "So. The first day you've seen your cousin in weeks you magically get the idea to start training with him again?"

Sasuke frowned at Hinata not answering them. "Did you forget about the last time you two 'trained'? Your face."

Naruto gave Sasuke a harsh look. "Hey. Stop it." He turned back to look at Hinata, who was still occupying herself with not answering or making eye contact. "Is this about Hanabi?"

Naruto could read Hinata like an open book. She didn't want to go back home for FUN, that was obvious. Hinata let out a sigh as she swallowed her food. Still not looking at anyone. "Yes."

Kakashi used his bottom foot to push back in his chair slightly and continued to eye Hinata. One day. All it took was one day for her family to come back and crumble Hinata back into pieces.

"I get you have to learn your families techniques Hinata, but other things supersedes that. The level you are now is Chunin level. You're going to do fine in the exams. You are doing fine now. Remember. You come first."

Hinata lifted her head up and looked Kakashi in his eyes. Memories of Neji and her own childhood clouded her way of thinking. Kakashi didn't understand. He didn't understand the MONSTERS in that house. "Hanabi comes first. I do not. Me and Neji…we agree on that."

Her eyes lowered slightly when she saw how Kakashi disapproved at what she was saying. "Me and Neji. Our destinies are laid out. The damage is already done with us. I…cannot let Hanabi end up like me."

A mental wreck. Shunned by her family. A failure. A loser.

An addict.

"So, you're going to protect her by going back and being your family's punching bag." Sasuke looked at Hinata harshly. This was stupid. This was all so stupid. "It's textbook Princess. You feel as if you are fine. That you have beaten your cravings and that you can go back to your normal life, but you haven't conquered anything. You'll fail."

Sasuke heard Hinata, but he also saw the advantages Hinata would get from going home. No way she wasn't thinking about getting her fix through all of this Hanabi talk.

Hinata chewed the inside of her cheek and they were starting to grow red in frustration. She looked at Sasuke and that guarded look started to consume her features again. He didn't understand. He had his priorities and she had hers.

No matter what, her family had to come first. Before her happiness. If she slipped into a bottle of liquor during her failure, than that was her decision. It always helped her survive in that house anyways. "I might fail, but Hanabi won't."

Sasuke gave Hinata a look of utter annoyance that she talked back to him. That she was being so hard headed and rebellious. Did she think he was stupid? That anyone at this table didn't see the underlining of her reasoning to go back. It was 50/50. Half Hanabi, half for her habit. "What did you sa-"

"Hey. Hey. Let's just relax. It's you're birthday Hinata. No need to get all riled up." Naruto interfered between Sasuke and Hinata before Sasuke went into destroy mode and became reckless at the mouth.

Naruto did give Hinata a look. Silently telling her not to give in. He knew it was hard for Hinata. Today especially. He understood she had cravings and the pressure from her family. He just needed her to try a little harder.

Hinata felt Naruto's stare and looked back at him. Her eyes widened slightly as she analyzed his stare. She felt so open because he was reading her like an open book. Shame quickly came over Hinata, because she just realized they all knew she was silently trying to ease out to go back to her addiction.

Yet. They were still there for her. Silently fighting her inner demons for her and subconsciously pushing the cravings away. Hinata spared another glance at Naruto and saw him smiling at her. Like everything was going to be okay, and she couldn't help but to smile back.

The team soon grew into a comfortable silence to finish eating dinner. Naruto taking the role to normalize everything and started to pick and play with Hinata until she started to smile happily again.

When it was time for dessert Hinata pulled out a big chocolate cake she made. It was HUGE and coated with chocolate icing and drizzle. Sasuke immediately made a face of distaste. It was worse enough that him and Hinata were on bad terms at the moment, but now she made a chocolate cake that he definitely didn't want.

As Hinata sat at the table, Kakashi came behind her and reached over to place candles on the cake in front of her. Hinata looked surprised because she didn't know he got candles for her. She hadn't had candles on a cake in a long time. Since her mother made her chocolate birthday cakes in the past. Hinata watched as Kakashi one by one placed a candle on the cake. 14 candles in total.

"Fourteen years in this world Hinata. It's an accomplishment. I lost people close to me around this age. To be alive and with people that care about you this far in your age, it's a blessing and honor Hinata."

Hinata looked up at Kakashi and she was stunned. Kakashi smiled at her under his mask and patted her head. "I will not control your life Hinata. I trust what you want to do for your sister. It is an honorable thing to do. Just make sure you enjoy the life you have in the process Hinata. Free yourself of the things holding you away from the real you."

She blushed. She turned her head from Kakashi and nodded her head. Understanding what he was trying to tell her and again reminding Hinata that he had her best interest at heart. Reminding her that he wasn't her family.

Just like that. Her cravings that lasted her almost all day, had finally settled down. With the care and support of people she deeply cared about. Hinata made it through a rough day. She no longer wanted to move back home. She still wanted to train with Neji and help her sister, but Hinata wanted to do that here. With team seven.

Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke proceeded to celebrate with Hinata. Singing happy birthday to her and wishing her nothing but the best. Hinata's blush went down to her neck at the attention and was so overwhelmed by the tender words of her teammates. Hinata cut slices for everyone and noticed how Kakashi took his slice of cake out to the balcony.

He snuck away again from their eyes.

Hinata watched Naruto eat the cake and smiled happily at the taste. "This is good Hinata! Different from a regular chocolate cake, but SOOOO GOOD!" Hinata giggled at this and turned to look at Sasuke, who was almost sulking at the moment. His arms were still crossed over his chests and he looked at the slice of cake in front of him in annoyance.

Hinata took the fork on Sasuke's plate and took a piece of the cake with it. She guided it to Sasuke's mouth and he just gave her a dry look. "No."

Hinata didn't let this deter her. "It's not a regular chocolate cake." Sasuke again declined the offer, "Chocolate cake is chocolate cake. It doesn't matter. Sweets are disgusting and I don't like it. You know this." Hinata still didn't falter. "Please."

Sasuke looked up from the fork and looked at Hinata. He gave her a smoldering look. Her personality switched. It was done very nonchalant because Hinata never grew too angry or loud to begin with. So her changing from stubborn to sweet and gentle was barely a difference.

Judging by the look Naruto was giving her, he picked up on it too. Sasuke let out a frustrated sigh as he looked at Hinata. He cared about Hinata, but he wasn't going to keep giving her his all and she picked when she wanted to be open to him. "Please? Now you act like you have sense."

Sasuke grumbled the last part and Naruto rolled his eyes at Sasuke's own dramatic behavior. Hinata didn't feed into his picking though. She still held the fork close to his mouth.

Sasuke wanted to be angry with her. Yet, Hinata never fed into his anger. His picking. She always had this way of making him rethink his dark thoughts before he voiced them. Always give her the benefit of the doubt.

Sasuke eyed Hinata and the fork again before he leaned forward and ate the piece off the fork. He tasted and chewed the cake. Waiting for the sugary overload to make him want to spit it out, but it never came. The cake, just like the rest of Hinata's cooking, was really good.

It was soft. It was moist. The icing was whipped and wasn't heavy. The drizzle was nice, warm and thick. The chocolate was bitter. Hinata leaned back and smiled at Sasuke. "I-It's dark chocolate. It's bitter and not very sweet. Remember I told you that you'd like chocolate if it was prepared right for you. I-I…I wanted to make something we all could enjoy." Sasuke took the fork from Hinata's hand and proceeded to eat his cake.

She made this chocolate cake for him. She wanted him to be included in her birthday celebration and not eat something he didn't like. Hinata was stubborn about her family life, but she's trying to show Naruto and Sasuke that she still wanted them in HER life. She was working on breaking down the barriers.

It would take time. It wouldn't be overnight.

After they finished eating their fair share Naruto laid his head on the table completely full and satisfied. "Hinata you're amazing. I had no clue you could cook like that. Where did you learn?" Hinata silently stacked the plates up and stood up to go to the sink in the kitchen. She was happy she was a 'clean up as you cook' person because it saved her a lot of work. "My mother. Before she passed away."

This caught Naruto and Sasuke's attention because Hinata rarely if ever talked about her mother.

She placed the dishes in the sink and started to clean the remaining dishes. She saw Naruto from her peripheral vision as he started to clean the counters and Sasuke stood beside her ready to dry the dishes. "My mother loved to cook. She liked a tidy house and for things to be in order." Hinata smiled at the memory of her mother. "She loved sweets. Every year on my birthday since I could remember she made me a chocolate cake."

Naruto stopped cleaning and looked at Hinata. She kept a tradition that her mother did for her. Sasuke continued to dry dishes as Hinata casually handed them to him. "This is the first time in eight years that someone has put candles on my birthday cake. Only my mother had done it. My father didn't pick the tradition back up. Usually on my birthday me, Hanabi and Neji would have chocolate cake together."

Neji would say he was forced to be there, but Hinata knew better.

Sasuke looked at her and could finally see how much it bothered Hinata that her family didn't want her home for her birthday. That she was separated from her sister for the first time in her life. "Sometimes. When I watch what you have to endure in your clan I wonder sometimes." Sasuke looked down at the dishes he was drying and took a moment to formulate his words.

"With all the stress and hardship you put on yourself. I wonder if this was the reason my brother did what he did? I wonder, was there something I didn't know about my family? It seems your sister is ignorant to the internal family conflict because you protect her from it. I wonder if there was something similar with my brother."

Hinata turned the water off and looked at Sasuke. Her brows were knitted together in concern. Is that what he was thinking earlier at the table. How much Hinata and his brother were alike. "I-I…I do not believe we are the same. I am not your brother."

Sasuke looked at Hinata before putting up the last dish and leaning his back against the sink. His arms were crossed and he looked at a blank space on the kitchen counter. "My brother wasn't a bad person growing up. He was…a typical big brother. He taught me things. He stood up for me when my father was being too harsh. He...was someone I looked up to. Now he is someone that has become my worst nightmare and I want nothing more than to see him burn forever in hell."

The three grew quiet. Sasuke struggled to say as much as he said. Memories of the night of the massacre still haunts him. Eats at him. Refuses to leave his very being. Naruto leaned against the sink beside Sasuke and mimicked him by folding his arms. "Well. Do you see any other similarities?"

Sasuke looked at Hinata and really thought about the question. "At first there were none. You just so happened to be the oldest sibling like my brother was. Title of heir like my brother from a big-named clan just like my brother. There are a lot of clans in this village and we were in a academy class with a lot of their heirs. No big deal."

He titled his head as he studied Hinata. Her eyes equally focused on his. "Then. I find out you're not this happy heir. You lost people close to you. My brother lost people close to him as well and that was when I started to see the decline. The withdrawal from him. He joined Anbu and just…became different. We went on that mission with the bridge builder and I saw a change in you. I wonder sometimes if it was a mission that triggered Itachi, like it did you."

Sasuke was scared he personally would take that dive into darkness. To do anything for power to have a taste of vengeance. He was scared Naruto would take that dive. Grow sick of the village and his lack of progress and the constant criticism from the villagers. Sasuke worried Naruto would become an enemy of the leaf village.

Sasuke was terrified of Hinata taking that dive. With her addiction. With her family. That she would just wake up one night and turn into his worst nightmare. Itachi. That she would leave him after she killed everyone in that tainted Hyuga compound.

Hinata sighed and looked away. "I-I am not proud of my actions on that mission. That was a part of me I did not even know about." Naruto chuckled at her and slowly nodded his head. "I'm sure that mission showed all of us a side we didn't know about ourselves. We were scared. Being scared shows us our true colors."

They could all agree to that.

"I get that your sister is important to you. I get that she's your world, but don't shelter her to the point that you'll lose her. Don't push yourself to the point that you'll lose everything." Hinata listened because it wasn't every day that Sasuke voiced himself this much and this deep. He was typically just as quiet as Hinata, however unlike Hinata, Sasuke couldn't let an argument just end unresolved.

"Alright Hinata, I believe I will be retiring for the night. Will you be taking the bedroom or the couch tonight?" Kakashi walked in to the little pow wow and was amused to see Sasuke and Hinata talking so freely again. Sasuke was rather uptight earlier during dinner. Hinata looked at Kakashi and looked between him, Naruto and Sasuke. "Oh! Umm. T-The couch I guess."

Kakashi wasted no time in going to his bedroom to shut the door. "Having a sleepover. I get it. Just remember, even though you're not thirteen any more. You will keep everything PG-13." Hinata's face lit up instantly and it flushed down to her neck. Naruto gave Kakashi a heated look. "Oi! What the hell sensei!?"

Naruto caught Hinata as she passed out and groaned at how their sensei was an expert at ruining the moment.

When Hinata came to it was dark in the apartment. The only light coming in was from the balcony. She was on the floor near the balcony and had a nice view of the moon hovering above Konoha. She was lying on multiple blankets on the floor for cushion and was on a comfortable pillow.

Hinata found that her hoodie of the day had been removed and she was in her white t-shirt that she wore underneath. "I figured you'd get super-hot with that hoodie on while under all the blankets." Hinata looked at Naruto as he laid beside her. Closest to the window. Sasuke was on the other side of her and she found herself being the center to the sandwich again.

Sasuke wasn't sleep, but he had his eyes closed and his arm wrapped around her like he would when they were on a mission. He kept his distance, but had her close against his chest. Naruto seemed to like facing Hinata and it was comfortable for him to lean his forehead against hers. He didn't mind invading Hinata's space. He liked sharing the same air as her.

Naruto had his eyes closed too, he felt Hinata stir and figured she finally woke up. Hinata always slept with her hands up to her face in a guarded pose almost. She poked one of her fingers out from her loose fists and poked Naruto's cheeks. He smiled at this and slowly opened his eyes to look at her.

He stole her breath away.

Naruto's hair hung loosely in his face. His eyes. Oh, Hinata just loved his eyes. They appeared a darker blue at night. Like the depths of the ocean and with the moon shining off his hair. Naruto looked like he could be King Neptune.

Naruto smirked at Hinata's stunned face. It was still weird for him to be around people that liked him so much and didn't think he was 'gross'. He couldn't help himself and he leaned into Hinata and gave her a peck on her lips. "Happy birthday Hinata."

The arm wrapped around Hinata pulled her in closer to his embrace. "Go to sleep you two." Naruto laughed at Sasuke's jealousy and how this was his silent cry for attention. Sasuke leaned over to Hinata's ear and whispered to her. "Happy Birthday."

The three left it at that as they all drifted back to sleep.

End of chapter.

I had to end it nice and sweet. As we all know, addiction is not something easy to get over. Hinata is in this rollercoaster for some time.

Some may have taken the hints I've put in this chapter of more abuse Hinata has experienced. This is something that will not be brought to light anytime soon. Trust me, it's going to be a roller coaster once the Chunin exams start.

Sasuke is the more mature one. I saw a comment I think about Sasuke being the leader here in this relationship and I'd say yes, right now he is. Naruto isn't comfortable in his sexuality yet and still figuring things out. With age, he'll get better at helping Sasuke and Hinata with their dark demeanors.

I really like writing Kakashi like this. I felt like he was more hands on behind the scenes and we just didn't see much of it.

Well until Saturday!