The immediate aftermath of the mission.

Chapter 14: Hold my hand if you're feeling scared

A solemn silence had settled around the group. Hinata squirmed.

The night before, Sasuke had stalked off without looking back and hadn't been seen since. When he failed to show up at the morning debrief, Naruto would have run off to find him had Hinata not held him back.

"Fujiwara Minoru is in custody. The white zetsu are gone. No more nobles died. Shijimi-sama is even more endeared by Hinata-chan for saving her from two white zetsu. The Daimyo's feelings about Sasuke are the most positive they've ever been. All in all, a successful mission. Naruto, Shikamaru and I will stick around to tie up some loose ends. Sai, if you could hang back as well that would make returning easier. The rest of you are dismissed," Kakashi said. A little lighter, he added, "I'd suggest asking Sasuke for a ride, but take no responsibility for the answer you'll get."

Nobody reacted.

Kakashi shrugged. "Tough crowd."

Hinata, Tenten and Neji were already packed up. Hinata said a quick goodbye to Naruto. The blond ninja still appeared upset by what had happened last night and by Sasuke's absence, but he gave her a tight hug and his mood seemed to brighten just a bit.

"I'll see you at home," Naruto told Hinata, before shouting farewells at Tenten and Neji as well.

When the three of them exited the safe house and began their journey back home, they ran into Sasuke. He was leaning against a tree, decidedly not looking at any of them. As they approached, he straightened and opened a portal.

Hinata shared a glance with Neji and Tenten, but all of them were tactful enough to not say anything. They simply stepped through the portal one by one and into the Hokage's office.

As Sasuke was closing the portal behind them, Hinata noticed he was unsteady on his feet. Whatever rest he'd gotten the night before their confrontation with Fujiwara Minoru had clearly been negated by another sleepless evening. Before she could think to say anything, he left without uttering a word.

Turning towards Hinata and Neji, Tenten stretched out her arms. "I'm beat," she said. "Gonna head home and pass out and pray that Lee doesn't break down my door trying to challenge me to running laps around Konoha. Again."

Neji smirked slightly.

Tenten pointed an accusing finger at him. "This is all your fault for telling him that I was jealous he'd chosen you as an eternal rival instead of me."

"I was simply looking out for my team," Neji said blandly.

"I'm not wasting any more time that I could be sleeping, but this isn't over Hyuuga," Tenten said, teeth bared in a ferocious grin as she left.

Hinata and Neji naturally fell into a comfortable silence as they began the walk to the Hyuuga compound. Neji always a half-step ahead of Hinata. Hinata's mind was lingering on Sasuke, worry painted on her face.

Once they were past the busy downtown core and on a quieter street, Neji began to speak. "Hinata-sama, during the mission, the Uchiha said something. I would have ignored it if he hadn't repeated a similar sentiment later."

"Oh?" Hinata looked to her cousin with curiosity.

Neji slowed, eventually coming to a stop. Hinata stared at his straight back.

"Are you upset with me?" Neji asked, still facing away from her.

Hinata blinked. "Um…no? What would make you ask that?"

Neji let out a quiet exhale and turned to face her. "My apologies, Hinata-sama. I should have phrased that differently. Are you upset and does it involve me?"

Hinata opened her mouth to speak, but stopped. Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she looked at her feet. "Um…"

"Hinata-sama, please be honest with me."

"I…I'm upset at myself," Hinata said, eyes downcast. "You were injured because of me. Because I wasn't strong enough. And…I'm afraid that it might happen again."

Neji looked at her with understanding pale eyes. "We are ninja. We are honour bound to lay our lives on the line, for the mission, for the Hokage, and for the good of the village. To give my life for you, Hinata-sama, would be the greatest honour."

Hinata's head jerked up. "Neji-nii-san! Please don't say that. I have never wanted to bind you to myself in that way. I…am working hard to change the ways of our clan, to free you from that duty."

"You misunderstand, Hinata-sama," Neji said with a shake of his head. "When Hokage-sama assigns me a mission, that is a duty. I do not consider protecting someone precious to me an obligation." Regarding her with a subtle affection, Neji continued, "You are precious to me, Hinata-sama. Not because of your standing in the clan, but because you are you."

Hinata's eyes shimmered with emotion. "You are precious to me too, nii-san. It's difficult to see you hurt, even more so when I am the reason."

Neji's lips formed a half-smile. "And it's the same for me, which is why I will always protect you. The life of a ninja is a dangerous one. As I said, if I were to die, I would prefer it to be in defense of you over any other reason."

Hinata pursed her lips. "I would prefer it to be not at all," she murmured, fretfully. "Then there's no other way. If nii-san is determined to protect me at the risk of his own life, I'll have to keep doing my best to get stronger so I can protect him back."

A look of pride flashed across Neji's face. "If it were anyone else, I might be offended. But from you, Hinata-sama, I am willing to accept this. A challenge of who can protect the other."

"You sound like Lee-san," Hinata said with a soft giggle. "I think the best outcome of a challenge like that would be for neither of us to get hurt at all…so it's a promise then. Let's do our best to protect each other?"

"And let's do our best not to die," Neji agreed, a touch morbidly.

Hinata's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Let's do our best to live?" she offered.

"Since when were you the optimist?" Neji said, starting to walk ahead.

"Coming from someone who got an F in positivity?"

Hinata's lips parted in surprise, Sasuke's mischievous face flashing behind her eyes.

Noticing Hinata wasn't following, Neji turned back again. He eyed her for a moment before saying, unexpectedly, "I knew you were training with the Uchiha, but I didn't realize you were friends."

Startled, Hinata responded unsurely, "Well, I'd like to think we are friends…"

"You should have more confidence," Neji said with a sigh, "Go."

Hinata tilted her head in confusion.

Neji sighed even heavier. "Go see your friend. You've been worrying the entire time."

"Oh!"

"I will see you at dinner. Good bye Hinata-sama," Neji said, bowing before walking off.

Hinata stayed where she was, hands clasped to her chest. Thinking of Sasuke's unapproachable mood earlier, she hesitated. However, the memory of his shakiness when closing the portal had her feet moving.

The way to Sasuke's apartment was well known to her now with their daily training sessions followed by tea in Sasuke's small kitchen. This was Hinata's first time making her way there on her own and she found herself missing his company, the way he always managed to perfectly adjust his pace to hers to walk beside her.

She faltered again at his door, but rapped lightly with a closed fist. It was silent for long enough that she thought he might not answer.

Then the door opened, Sasuke looming above her. A sight that would have intimidated her terribly some months ago. Now, seeing Sasuke in the hallway of his apartment building settled some of the uneasiness in Hinata's chest that had started the evening before when he'd had his chidori ready to attack.

Sasuke's face was deliberately blank, but Hinata could read agitation in the set of his mouth and tension in the tightness of his eyes. Staring down at her for a long moment, he seemed to exhale, eyes softening.

Hinata shuffled nervously. "May I come in?"

Sasuke stepped aside in answer. Once she entered he shut the door behind her. Hinata followed him into the apartment, standing in the living room as he slumped onto the couch.

It was like seeing layers of armour peel off in real time. Hinata's heart ached.

Approaching slowly, Hinata kneeled down in front of Sasuke's seated form. "I feel like any words I would try to say would be…meaningless," she admitted. "But I'm here. Is there anything I can do?"

Sasuke didn't move, didn't speak.

Hinata gazed at him with sad eyes. "…Sasuke-kun?"

At his name, Sasuke looked up. Dark bangs fell in front of his mismatched eyes in disarray. "Hinata…" he started, before trailing off. Hinata kept his gaze, her expression completely open.

"…I could use some tea," Sasuke finished.

It took a few seconds for the words to register. Then Hinata nodded. She began to get up, but stopped and threw her arms around Sasuke.

It was meant to be a quick hug. An impulse. But before Hinata could let go, she felt Sasuke slowly move to return her embrace and she froze.

In an unpracticed manner, Sasuke curled his right arm around her. At first the touch was barely there. Then Hinata leaned in just slightly and his grasp got surer.

Realizing that Sasuke showed no sign of letting go, Hinata allowed herself to relax into the embrace. Eyes slipping shut, she rested her head against his chest and tightened her hold. Hinata tried to project every positive emotion she could, wanting to take some of his sadness and replace it with a better feeling. As if he could sense it, Sasuke drew her even further into him, dropping his chin on the top of her head.

They stayed there, holding each other, for a long time.

Much later, Hinata made them tea and Sasuke told her about the things that had been keeping him up at night.

Hinata comforting Sasuke, Sasuke opening up to Hinata about his past, Hinata declaring them officially friends (only took us 14 chapters to get to that point lol).

Slowing the pace down before we get to some big emotional developments coming up soon(ish).

Thanks to everyone who continues to keep up with this fic ^^

MVH