SasuHina face each other after the kiss

Chapter 32: Embrace the point of no return

Hinata's dreams were filled with dark hair and warm hands and when she woke it took her a few long minutes to come to her senses.

Once she did, she immediately buried her face in her pillow.

The press of Sasuke's lips against hers had been so quick and chaste it was utterly perplexing how it would not leave her mind.

Hinata managed to get the fluttering of her insides somewhat under control before getting out of bed, determined to pay Sasuke a visit later. There was no need to lose her head about this. She would give Sasuke the opportunity to explain the reason behind his actions and then they'd go about their day as usual, training and having tea.

The moment she stepped into the hallway dressed in her training clothes, she found Ko waiting for her.

"Apologies for the intrusion, Hinata-sama. Hiashi-sama is waiting for you at the gates," Ko said.

"At the gates?" Hinata murmured to herself. Then, to Ko, she said, "Thank you, Ko-san. I'll go right away."

As Hinata made her way to the compound gates, she found her path blocked.

"Hinata-sama," Wataru called cheerily.

Hinata returned the greeting, surprised to see Wataru without the company of Hayate and Shigeru.

"How serendipitous that our paths should cross this morning! I was just thinking I should pass on my sincere hopes to you for a long and fortuitous relationship," Wataru said. "I realize times have changed since my youth, but though others may say that this generation is more fickle in their courtships, I have great faith in yourself and your peers, Hinata-sama." The plastic smile that stretched across his wrinkled face made Hinata's hands itch to curl into her sleeves.

"Ah, Wataru-san, I appreciate the…kind sentiment, though it may be a bit…premature," Hinata said slowly while her mind raced to search for hidden meaning in the Hyuuga elder's words. "I agree with your faith in my generation, though perhaps the…misconception is due to the weight we put in the friendships we have fostered among each other just as much as, if not more than, courtships that could prove…fickle."

Wataru's smile thinned. "Well said, Hinata-sama. Then the sightings of yourself and Uzumaki Naruto in the village outskirts were simply a display of friendship. I see."

Heart caught in her throat, Hinata forcibly relaxed her expression. "Yes," she agreed. She scanned Wataru's face, trying to read if he had suspicions on exactly why she and Naruto had been on the edges of Konoha.

"That's a shame, I suppose we were overexcited. A Hyuuga and the Hokage is not a pairing we have seen in our lifetime," Wataru pressed, seeming displeased by her shortness.

"Naruto-kun will always be a precious friend," Hinata replied succinctly. "If you'll excuse me, Wataru-san, but I am expected in the village."

"Of course, Hinata-sama. Far be it for me to inconvenience you," Wataru said before taking his leave.

Unable to dwell on the exchange, Hinata hurried to the gates and found her father waiting. He didn't give her a chance to say anything, immediately turning as soon as she got close enough. Hinata was left to follow behind him.

Hinata stole glances at her father as he led them to the Hokage Tower, wondering why they were being called. Considering her last meeting with Kakashi, Hinata had an inkling.

Her inkling was confirmed when she and her father were guided into a meeting room filled with the clan heads and heirs of Konoha. Hinata took comfort in the presence of the friendly faces of her peers: Kiba, Shino, Ino, Chouji and Shikamaru. It was sad, however, to see Yoshino in place of Nara Shikaku and to see that Ino had come alone to replace her father. But Ino wasn't truly alone, Yoshino and Chouza were doting over her.

Quietly, Hinata took her seat beside her father and said a soft "hello" to Chouji on her other side. Inuzuka Tsume quickly turned from where she had been needling Aburame Shibi to tease Hiashi about his frown lines. Hinata hid a smile behind her palm, exchanging amused glances with Shino while Kiba looked a little exasperated by his mother's badgering.

Despite everyone chatting lightly, the atmosphere in the room was a little tense. It was unusual for all clan heads to be gathered like this.

The room hushed and Hinata turned, expecting to see Kakashi walking in. Instead, she was met with Sasuke's lone dark eye, rinnegan hidden beneath dark bangs.

Hinata blushed. It was an automatic reaction. She barely managed to keep from turning away or, worse, touching her lips.

Sasuke's face was inscrutable. Though Hinata had gotten a better handle of reading his moods, she was completely in the dark this time. They held eye contact for what felt like an eternity. The intensity in Sasuke's gaze made Hinata shiver. Then he finally looked away, forgoing the seats to lean against the back wall.

Involuntarily, Hinata's eyes followed him. She clasped her hands to her chest as she took in his solitary figure. Sasuke was here representing the Uchiha clan. Ino was her clan's sole representative as well, but she had the rest of her family at home in addition to two generations of Ino-Shika-Chou currently in the room with her.

Sasuke was entirely alone.

Without much thought Hinata started to get out of her seat, but then the chatter hushed again. Kakashi had entered the room.

Tsume was the first to speak up. "So, Hokage-sama, why exactly have you called us all here?"

The next twenty or so minutes passed chaotically. Kakashi gave a broad rundown of the situation: the existence of nae-ROOT, that hiden was confirmed as being stolen and the re-emergence of the white zetsu. He left out the details, like any potential involvement of the Konoha Go-Ikenban, the Nara and Fujiwara. It was still more than enough to fire up the clan heads. There was shouting and accusations thrown around.

Kakashi took this all in stride until finally he stood up and brought his hands together in a loud, sharp clap. The room quieted and so everyone heard when Kakashi muttered under his breath, "Somehow I'm taken back to my days of leading a genin team…"

Hinata felt cowed even though she hadn't said a word. She noticed a scowl crease Hiashi's face out of the corner of her eyes.

"Just to be clear, this is a courtesy. Uzumaki Naruto is downstairs doing the same with all Konoha ninja of chunin level or higher. ROOT has always operated best in secret, but we're in a new era now. You're being informed for awareness only. The situation is being handled. Any unsanctioned actions taken will be considered interference with an active mission. Likewise, any withholding of information will be treated the same," Kakashi said.

"If they're stealing hiden then this is a clan matter, no?" Chouza argued. Yoshino and Shikamaru wore carefully neutral faces and stayed silent.

"It's a village matter," Kakashi corrected. "It's not specific to any one clan. I know more than one of you has been affected by ROOT."

Hinata bit her lip, turning to look at Shino. Her teammate looked tense, face drawn into a frown.

"You can't expect us to do nothing while they go around indoctrinating our children again," Tsume growled.

Kakashi sighed. "Of course not. I know the history. That's why we're being transparent here. But acting rashly won't help us. As I said, if you have information, it should be shared with the Hokage's office and we'll investigate."

Hiashi scoffed. "That will lead to a witch hunt."

"It definitely would have a few years ago. And it still might," Kakashi agreed solemnly. "But then I look at your sons and daughters and their generation makes even a cynic like me believe in change. I suggest you look to them too. And like I said, Naruto's addressing the Konoha-nin right now — it wouldn't be a bad idea for some of you to stop by." Kakashi smiled his close-eyed smile and the clan heads murmured to each other.

As Kakashi dismissed the meeting, Hinata got to her feet. She nodded goodbye to her father and then placed a hand on Shino's arm and gave him a comforting smile. Offering polite bows to the rest of the clan heads, Hinata kept an eye out for one particular shinobi, but lost sight of him as she was trying to extricate herself from a conversation with Tsume. With a rushed farewell, Hinata hurried out of the room only to find the corridor empty. Disappointed, she lingered outside the doorway until the rest of her friends started to pour out.

"Let's go check out Naruto's big speech," Kiba said, hooking an arm around her shoulder.

Sasuke left the room annoyed to have been in there in the first place. Called to represent a dead clan. What a joke.

He wasn't oblivious to Hinata's searching gaze and though he knew he needed to speak to her, he also needed a minute to collect himself. Sasuke hadn't predicted how much seeing her again after his revelation would affect him.

He felt dangerously out of control.

Journeying for months alone, doing his best to right wrongs and help people was supposed to redeem him, make him a better version of himself. That better version of himself had been sorely tested by everything with Fujiwara and Sasuke had barely avoided falling into the same patterns of behaviour he was trying to unlearn. Maybe his travels did prepare him at least a little.

But nothing could have prepared him for Hinata.

He wasn't running. This was a tactical retreat.

Naruto's voice carried through from the auditorium on the ground floor. Sasuke found a spot in the back, away from the crowd of Konoha-nin. All chunin, jounin, tokubetsu jounin and ANBU were gathered, even the iryō-nins from the hospital were present.

Sakura, Sai, Neji, Tenten and Lee stood by Naruto's side. Sai was pointedly right beside Naruto; it was a nonverbal declaration of support for his former ROOT friend.

It was an interesting reversal. Naruto up front, people hanging onto his every word. Sasuke watching from afar, alone. Sasuke didn't mourn the loss. Perhaps it was always meant to be this way. Naruto wore it better, the bravado from his youth matured into a true confidence as he made every person in the room feel like he was speaking directly to them, like he truly cared about them. Knowing Naruto, he probably did.

Sasuke wasn't capable of caring about that many people. No matter how many missions he took, crises he averted, lives he saved, it wasn't the same as caring. Sasuke didn't have it in him. He was meant for the shadows.

The moment Hinata stepped into the room, Sasuke was aware of it. It was impossible not to be when he'd been idly tracking her chakra through the tower. Still, he didn't turn his head and continued to watch Naruto without really seeing him. He expected her to join the others at the front, but she didn't. While Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, Chouji and Ino slipped through the throng to stand beside Naruto, Hinata lagged behind, long hair sweeping around her shoulders as she turned her head from side to side.

When those lavender eyes landed on him, Sasuke felt it in his entire body. From his periphery, Sasuke saw Hinata weave her way gracefully across the hall until she came to a stop beside him. Sasuke kept his gaze trained forward. Instead of being disheartened by his avoidance, Hinata simply leaned against the wall beside him, an arms length away. Sasuke's neck hurt from the effort it took not to turn her way.

Side by side, they watched Naruto address the crowd. Sasuke didn't hear a single word. Then, he felt it again. The unmistakable sensation of Hinata's eyes on him.

She was staring.

Blatantly.

Hinata didn't stare. She averted her gaze, she ducked her head, she focused somewhere near the eyes. With the right people or under the right circumstances she made eye contact of an appropriate length of time. Occasionally she watched and with her byakugan she observed. She did a million other things than stare.

At least, not at him. Not like this.

Unable to resist, Sasuke's eyes slid towards her. Her eyes were determined, cheeks pinked at her own brazen behaviour. When their eyes met, the smile that spread across her face was so triumphant that Sasuke felt his entire being soften.

So much for his tactical retreat.

Their shoulders were touching. Sasuke hadn't noticed he'd moved closer.

Unbidden, it crossed Sasuke's mind that a few days ago he'd been on the outside of a private moment between Hinata and Naruto. Now, the blond was in the middle of a rousing speech, but Hinata wasn't looking at him. She was looking at Sasuke.

It was a petty thought. Sasuke had already decided not to pursue anything with Hinata. But that didn't stop the small curl of satisfaction in his chest.

Suddenly the room burst into applause. Sasuke watched, amused, as Hinata startled and joined in belatedly. The crowd began dispersing, but Sasuke and Hinata stayed where they were. The silence between them stretched, no longer excused by Naruto's speech. Normally silence between them wasn't a bad thing, but this time the kiss hung heavily in the air.

Slowly Hinata's expression transformed into a fretful one, bottom lip caught between her teeth. It was clear she was struggling to broach the topic of Sasuke's unexpected gesture and it made Sasuke frown, knowing it was his responsibility to clear the air.

"Hinata," Sasuke started.

Hinata released her bottom lip and looked at him and Sasuke lost his train of thought. When he failed to say anything more, she tilted her head to the side. "Yes, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke shifted a little. "About yesterday…" Again, he stopped. He knew he should apologize, but within his mess of emotions, Sasuke couldn't find one drop of regret.

"Yes?" Hinata leaned closer.

Sasuke looked away from Hinata's face, aiming his gaze somewhere above her head. He didn't want to lie to her, but there was no point in telling her about feelings he had already decided to let go. Finally, he said, "…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

It was truthful, at least.

Hinata didn't say anything, waiting. But Sasuke had no explanation to offer.

She should be angry with him; she was well within her rights. He had kissed her without her permission and then run off and now could only give her a half-hearted apology because he wasn't sorry about the right thing. Sasuke was a bastard through and through, just like Naruto always said.

But when she spoke, instead of anger or repulsion or indignation, there was only disappointment in Hinata's voice. "It's okay, Sasuke-kun. We can…forget about it."

Sasuke's head whipped towards her, taking in the feeble smile stretched across her lips. Hinata looked resigned, an expression she wore whenever she was let down.

It was a kick in the gut to see that expression aimed at him.

He'd seen Naruto put that look on her face over and over again. Sasuke really was no better.

Watching helplessly as Hinata collected herself, Sasuke was taken aback by the next words to leave her lips. "Um…I was wondering if you would like to join me and my family for tea tomorrow? If you have time…" There was a hopeful edge to her smile.

In the face of Sasuke's failings and the strain he'd inflicted on their friendship, here Hinata was, offering an olive branch, an invitation into her home, into her family. A chance for Sasuke to revisit his fonder memories in a place untainted by blood and death.

"It's fine if you don't want to!" Hinata added. She ducked her head, fiddling with her coat's zip.

Hinata deserved so much more than what the world gave her. Than what Sasuke could give her.

He couldn't lose her.

Much like the first time he'd done it, Sasuke's hand reached out almost of its own accord, gently stroking her bangs. Hinata's eyes widened and Sasuke almost snatched his hand back, but then her eyes slid shut as she leaned her head into his touch and it felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders.

"…What time?"

"Hm?" Hinata hummed thoughtlessly. Sasuke began to withdraw his hand only for her to let out a quiet, displeased sound. Sasuke's lips twitched and he ran his hand through her hair a few more times.

Hinata's eyes drifted open and she gasped quietly. "Oh! Um…Eleven o'clock. There's no need to dress formally or anything like that."

Everything suddenly felt easy again, the way it always did.

Sasuke hadn't completely ruined everything. Their friendship was still intact, unmarred by his selfish actions.

He swore he would keep it that way. He didn't have much experience in being a good friend, but Sasuke had never shied away from hard work and effort. He could be a good thing in Hinata's life.

He just needed to keep his extraneous feelings in line.

Sasuke could absolutely do that.

Hinata couldn't do it.

She couldn't seem to forget about the kiss.

She had dreamt of it again last night and woken up flustered. Then she had thought of Sasuke's dismissal and her answering disappointment and she had felt so confused.

What was there to feel disappointed about?

Hinata thought back to when Mayumi had insinuated that they were a couple and the sting of Sasuke's embarrassed reaction. Perhaps it was her insecurity rearing its head again. Hinata had never been chased after the way Sakura and Ino often were nor did she have the dating history that Tenten had. She had never been someone that inspired romantic attention. No one had ever gone out of their way to flatter her or court her. It was a miracle that Naruto had accepted her obvious feelings after years of one-sided affection.

For Sasuke, who had never expressed interest in any of his many admirers, to have kissed her was astonishing in itself. But then for him to immediately regret it…Hinata must be really undesirable.

Hinata shook her head. There was no point letting these types of thoughts invade her mind. If she was undesirable, there was hardly anything she could do about it. Better to worry about things within her control. And there were certainly more than enough things to worry about.

Right now at the forefront of her worries was the tea she had planned for Sasuke and her family. Though the Hyuuga tea house had been rebuilt, Hinata had chosen the more informal location of a small receiving room in the Hyuuga Head House. The room was all set up with Hinata's favourite chadōgu and porcelain tableware as well as paintings that suited the season, but Hinata was more worried about the company.

Perhaps it was silly to worry. Sasuke had agreed to come and he wasn't the type to do something he didn't want to. And he had gotten along well enough at the lunch with her, Neji, Shino and Lee. Lee's exuberance hadn't seemed to phase Sasuke and he'd paid attention when Shino spoke. Other than a brief heated moment, he and Neji had also seemed unbothered by each other's presence.

"I thought this was informal? Why did Ko-san make me us go to the tsukubai?" Hanabi complained as soon as she and Neji walked in. Natsu accompanied them, standing aside as Hanabi took a seat.

Hinata brought her hand to her bottom lip. "Was it too much?" she murmured unsurely.

"Hanabi is simply showing her age," Neji said.

"I'm not a child!"

"So you say, but your actions tell another story."

"Nii-san, please," Hinata sighed.

"Ha! Look who's getting scolded like a child!" Hanabi jeered.

"Hanabi…" Hinata said chidingly. Natsu looked amused from where she was standing by Hanabi's shoulder.

"Hmph." Hanabi propped her chin on her folded arms. After a moment of pouting, she recovered quickly. "Hinata-nee-sama is worried about making a good impression on the Uchiha," she said in a singsong voice.

"Perhaps she simply expected you to behave yourself in front of a guest," Neji said.

Hinata sat up. "They're here!" Ko had been awaiting Sasuke at the gates to bring him to the tsukubai and she could now sense his chakra returning.

Within a few minutes they arrived, Ko letting Sasuke enter first. For all their quibbling, Neji and Hanabi politely bowed along with Hinata to greet him. Sasuke returned the gesture and took the seat across from Hinata. She smiled shyly at him and then blushed when the corner of his lips tugged in return. Looking to the doorway, she tucked her hair behind her ear and tried to hide behind her long sleeves.

"…I suppose we can start," Hinata said, still staring at the door.

Ko set up the charcoal fire. Once he was done, he and Natsu began to excuse themselves, but stopped at Hinata's voice.

"Ah! Ko-san, Natsu-san, won't you take a seat?" Hinata asked, tilting her head to the empty seats. The table was set for seven people.

Ko and Natsu looked to each other with surprise.

"Hinata-sama —" Ko started, but stopped himself when he met her wide-eyed gaze.

"It would be improper," Natsu finished for Ko.

Hanabi huffed. "What's improper about tea?"

Taking a moment to smile softly at her sister's interjection, Hinata then turned that smile on Ko and Natsu. "It would make me really happy if you joined us," she said sincerely.

Exchanging another look, Ko and Natsu seemed to give in, both taking a seat. The seventh spot stayed empty. Hinata looked at it for a moment before turning her attention to her guests.

"Sasuke-kun, let me introduce you. You know Neji-nii-san already, and this is my younger sister Hanabi. Natsu-san is Hanabi's caretaker and Ko-san was mine," Hinata explained. "Everyone, this is Uchiha Sasuke." Sasuke dipped his head in a simple nod. Hinata took in his expression carefully. At the very least, he didn't seem annoyed.

"Um, we can begin with the meal," Hinata said softly, palms pressed together. "Itadakimasu." Everyone followed suit.

"This looks lovely, Hinata-sama," Natsu said, admiring the spread of food.

Hinata smiled, murmuring her thanks.

"Nee-sama, will you make me lunch tomorrow? Sota and Akio always get jealous when you do!"

Without looking up from his meal, Neji said, "Hanabi, you aren't meant to make small talk."

Hanabi bit down on a pickled cucumber with a loud crunch. "What's small about it? And am I the only one who understands what 'informal' means?" she grumbled.

"Hanabi, I don't mind making lunches for Sota-kun and Akio-kun as well," Hinata said placatingly.

Hanabi only frowned. "No way! They don't deserve it."

"Hanabi-sama, you should try to get along better with your teammates," Natsu said.

"Sota-kun and Akio-kun seem very nice," Hinata added.

"You're biased, nee-sama."

Sasuke spoke for the first time. "An Inuzuka and Aburame. They mirrored Team Eight?"

Hinata hedged. "Well…"

"They did," Neji answered, ignoring Hinata's blushing protests. "Team Eight is quite the tracking unit. It seems Hokage-sama is interested in recreating a similar success."

"So I'm stuck with those two," Hanabi concluded.

Sasuke made a sound of acknowledgement which Hanabi seemed appeased by.

With the ice broken by Hanabi, the rest of the lunch continued in a similar manner. Hanabi complained about D-rank missions to Sasuke, who remained silent, but listened intently and nodded along emphatically to each point. Natsu recounted teasing stories about Hanabi which the girl bore with lighthearted objections. Ko reminisced about Hinata in a way that was intended to be flattering, but ultimately painted her as friendless ("Hinata-sama was so diligent, unlike other children who stayed behind to play with classmates she would come straight home for lessons."), gluttonous ("Hinata-sama was quite meticulous for a child. She never dirtied her kimonos despite how many sweets she ate.") and bullied ("Hinata-sama has had a talent for cooking since a young age. Undoubtedly her lunches were the envy of her classmates, I remember her bentos going missing for some time.").

At the last remark from her former caretaker, Hinata lifted her face from where it was buried in her hands and caught Sasuke's eyes. They shared a small, secret moment of understanding that lightened Hinata's heart.

Meanwhile Neji seemed unperturbed as he ate undisrupted. Hinata knew he was enjoying her and Hanabi's embarrassment more than he let on.

Once the meal was finished, Natsu and Ko helped clear the table while Hinata cleansed the chadōgu. Just as she was beginning to scoop the matcha into the chawan to prepare the koicha, the door slid open.

"Hiashi-sama!" Natsu and Ko dropped into low bows.

"Chichiue..." Hinata stood up to greet her father, seeing Hanabi and Neji do the same. "Um. This is Uchiha Sasuke," she said for lack of anything else, gesturing to the boy in question.

Leisurely, Sasuke got to his feet and inclined his head. It was perhaps an informal way to greet the head of a clan, but then again Uchiha Sasuke was on a different level than most ninja.

"Sasuke-san. I had prior engagements, but I thought I should stop by to welcome you to my home," Hiashi said. "It's been some time since your last visit."

Sasuke's face remained impassive. "Thank you for having me back," he said tonelessly.

The lines in Hiashi's forehead deepened. His silver-eyed gaze slid to Ko and Natsu. "Surely you don't require two Bunke to help you attend to your guest, daughter?"

Hinata's spine stiffened. It felt like someone had dripped ice cold water down her back.

Ko and Natsu both fell into another deep bow, apologies on their lips, but Hinata's gentle voice rose above theirs as she spoke firmly.

"I had invited Sasuke-kun to tea with my family. I understand chichiue had important clan matters to take care of, but fortunately Ko-san and Natsu-san allowed me to…impose on their time," Hinata said. She was sitting with her shoulders back and head raised. The factual statements helped her meet her father's eyes straight on without faltering. In contrast to her posture, however, she kept her expression docile. Ko was rigid where he was bent in a bow beside her and she touched his arm softly.

Hiashi was silent for what felt like an age to Hinata. Then, he said, "I see. I will take my leave to my next appointment. Enjoy your tea."

When the door slid shut again, Hanabi lasted five seconds before she let out a 'whoosh' of breath. "Wow, nee-sama," she said in a low, impressed voice.

Shoulders drooping, Hinata spun around to face Natsu and Ko, her brows drawn together. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to put you both in an uncomfortable position."

Ko looked a little overwhelmed, but his smile was as kind as ever. It was Natsu that responded in words. "Not at all, Hinata-sama. Now, should I get the wagashi?"

Hinata nodded. While Natsu distributed the sweets, Hinata studied her cousin. Neji's hands were fisted on his knees, knuckles white. When he felt her gaze he gave her a reassuring look, uncurling his hands. Mollified, Hinata turned to Sasuke and found him staring back. The admiring look in his eyes made her blush and duck her head so that her bangs shaded her face. With her wagashi now within her gaze, Hinata occupied herself with the sweet. Eyes shut as she savoured the taste, a snicker broke through Hinata's bliss.

With a confused pout, Hinata opened her eyes and looked around.

Hanabi's eyes were twinkling mischievously and Natsu was poorly hiding a smile. Meanwhile, Neji's lips were pulled into an unamused line and Ko was staring down at the table, aghast. Hinata followed his gaze to another plate pushed up against her empty one, holding an untouched wagashi.

Across the table, Sasuke appeared to be admiring the wall painting with mild interest.

A little flustered by her family's attention, Hinata nonetheless ate the second sweet with a happy heart.

Hinata prepared the koicha and they passed it around the table until it was empty. Natsu then portioned out higashi, Hinata again receiving two pieces after a deft movement from Sasuke. While Ko rekindled the fire, Hinata whisked the matcha and poured out six cups of usacha. They made light conversation and though Sasuke didn't participate beyond sipping his tea, he didn't look out of place.

Hinata smiled to herself behind her own cup of tea. Something about Sasuke beside Neji, Hanabi, Natsu and Ko…fit.

She drank her tea, feeling warmed through her entire body down to her toes.

Afterwards, Hinata caught Neji before he left the Head House and pulled him aside. "Nii-san, do you have time to take a walk with me later today? The tsubame are particularly active right now."

Neji weighed her words carefully before replying, "I have a team dinner tonight, but a stroll would be a nice start to the morning tomorrow."

Hinata nodded eagerly. "Yes, tomorrow morning would be fine."

"It wasn't a bad idea," Neji remarked, glancing over Hinata's head. "Inviting the Uchiha. Hanabi seems to have taken a liking to him."

Hinata turned to see that Hanabi had cornered Sasuke. He didn't look like he needed saving, but Hinata hurried over for her own sake after bidding goodbye to Neji. There was no telling what Hanabi might be saying.

Unfortunately, she wasn't able to catch much of the conversation. Hanabi only gave her a quick hug before running off with Natsu in tow.

Hinata looked to Sasuke questioningly, but his face gave nothing away. He didn't seem offended, so Hinata decided to put away her curiosity. Instead, she asked, "Sasuke-kun, would you…like to see the gardens?"

She wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. Fortunately, Sasuke agreed.

Most of her own outdoor plants were dormant in the winter, but the Hyuuga gardens were still well maintained. Perhaps they were not as colourful, but Hinata thought there was a beauty in the tranquility winter offered. There was only a light dusting of snow, but it lit up under the sunlight and sparkled like diamonds.

Though Sasuke was usually mindful to match her pace, as they walked he began to take the lead. He looked around with rapt eyes. A matching memory superimposed itself upon the scene in Hinata's mind. Young Sasuke had been much more energetic, but just as fascinated. Hinata took in Sasuke's frame, picking out the similarities and differences. Naturally he was taller and he'd gained more muscle, though he was still leanly built. His hair was dark as ever, but slightly less gravity defying. It was startling to think that the eyes that soaked in every detail were an entirely different pair, but the gleam inside of them was entirely Sasuke.

When the koi pond came into view, Sasuke made a beeline towards it.

The surface of the pond was just barely frozen over, the fish gathered at the bottom to sleep through the winter. Hinata watched Sasuke lean over to examine them carefully.

"All nine are still there," Hinata said with a smile. There was something childlike about Sasuke right now. Or perhaps it was her now reignited memories of him doing much the same thing as a young boy.

"The first time we saw them, Itachi helped me pet one," Sasuke recalled. He had a complicated look on his face, the one he usually wore when talking about his family.

"They still like getting pet," Hinata said. "You'll see, when the ice melts in spring."

Sasuke's gaze lifted from the pond to meet her own. Hinata abruptly realized how presumptuous she was being and tucked her hair behind her ear self-consciously. "I mean…I was hoping you might join us for tea again…more regularly."

Sasuke's lips didn't move, but the look in eyes gave the impression of a smile. "I could manage tea every now and then. At least I don't have to wear a kimono."

Hinata beamed. Brushing off some snow from the edge of the pond, she took a seat. Then, she dipped her head to peer into the depths of the pond. Her hair spilled over her shoulder, the ends nearly long enough to brush against the iced surface.

"A lot of things look different. This place looks the least changed," Sasuke noted, sitting beside her.

"Mm. There was quite a bit of damage from Pein's attack," Hinata explained. "The gardens were the least affected, but we had to reset some of the stone. There were cracks and some rubble got in. It's a miracle none of the fish were harmed. This has always been one of my favourite places, so I'm grateful it survived."

"I almost pushed you in here once," Sasuke said conversationally.

"Eh?"

"You were always here or by the flowers — whenever you bothered to leave your mother's side. You'd lean your face so close to the water. It was annoying how much attention you were paying them," Sasuke continued offhandedly. "Lucky for you, Itachi caught you."

Hinata gaped at the boy. "Sasuke-kun…that's so mean!"

Sasuke shrugged carelessly.

Hinata shook her head, unable to hold back an amused smile. "I actually named all of them when I was younger," she said.

"I know," Sasuke said. "You told me once."

"Really?"

In response, Sasuke proceeded to rattle off their names to Hinata's marvel. With each name that escaped his lips, a blurry memory grew in strength. Hinata pointing out each fish as Itachi listened bemusedly, Sasuke hovering behind his brother, seemingly not paying attention.

There was a smug smirk on Sasuke's face when he finished and Hinata could only imagine it was similar to the expression he would have worn upon pushing her into the koi pond had he succeeded. Feeling brave, Hinata reached out and gave Sasuke's bangs a light tug. The stunned look on his face made Hinata let out a peel of giggles. When she got herself under control, hand pressed to her mouth to hold back her laughter, Hinata found Sasuke looking at her with an expression that he quickly smoothed away.

"I'm a bad influence on you," Sasuke muttered.

Hinata hummed in agreement. "Oh!" she gasped. "There's something I wanted to show you!"

Hopping to her feet, Hinata took hold of Sasuke's sleeve and pulled. Sasuke followed her easily. "We built a greenhouse as part of the reconstruction," she said as they turned a corner and encountered the building in question. When they entered, Hinata brought them to her own personal corner.

"They are quite resilient to winters once they're established. But since I'm growing them from seedlings, I thought I'd start in here and move them outside in the spring," Hinata said, gesturing towards the thin shoots. At Sasuke's silence, she added, "Ah. I guess they're not too exciting right now. The leaves should sprout by the end of March, but they can take a while to bloom."

"They can take years to bloom."

Something about the tone of Sasuke's voice gave Hinata pause. The greenhouse was warm and colourful, but Sasuke's monochromatic figure looked unbothered. It reminded Hinata of his lack of discomfort surrounded by the romantic decorations in Dango-ya when they'd gone there together. He always held himself so confidently. More than that, however, Sasuke looked completely unguarded in a way he often wasn't in public.

He was staring at the echinacea sprouts with wonder, eyes shining in the light. His hair had grown a little since Hinata had cut it, but still framed his face nicely, the raven colour contrasting against his pale skin. Surrounded by greenery, he looked like a fairytale prince. Sasuke was always handsome, but with his features relaxed and no frown to be found, it was more evident than usual.

"You planted them," he said, pleased. Then he smiled and Hinata's heart skipped a beat.

With no small amount of dismay, Hinata was suddenly hit with the realization that she had a developed a crush on Uchiha Sasuke.

Back to the friendzone...sort of.

Thank you as always to every who takes the time to review ^^

MVH