The original chapter 25 has been deleted and I present to you the new chapter 25!
XXXXXX
Hinata's eyelids fluttered open at the sound of her daughter's voice, piercing through the haze of sleep and the remnants of last night's overindulgence. "Mom, you overslept!" Himawari's concern cut through the thick air of the room, underscored by the morning sun that seemed unreasonably bright today.
"Mm, what time is it, Hima-chan?" Hinata's voice was groggy, her hand automatically reaching up to shield her eyes from the harsh light streaming through the window.
"It's almost eleven in the morning," Himawari chirped, and then added as an afterthought, "Aunt Hanabi just dropped me off. She's downstairs."
Hinata felt a second wave of discomfort at the mention of her sister, knowing Hanabi would want a full debrief of the previous night. "Is she?" she murmured, the weight of her headache making it hard to think. "Tell her I'll be down shortly, okay? Just...give me a moment."
Her daughter's eyes, so like her own, were filled with worry. "Are you okay, Mommy?"
The concern in Himawari's voice tugged at Hinata's heartstrings. Mustering a smile, she nodded. "I'm okay, really. Just a little tired." She watched, her heart warming a touch, as Himawari seemed satisfied with the answer and skipped out of the room, closing the door gently behind her.
Once alone, Hinata let out a heavy sigh, the events of the previous night rushing back to her. She had confessed to Sasuke, impulsively kissed him—and had been rejected. The memory made her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She covered her face with her hands, the mortification of the moment flooding back.
She groaned aloud, pulling the blanket over her head as if to block out not just the sunlight but the memory of last night. The fact that Sasuke hadn't reciprocated made her stomach churn. She could only imagine how awkward he must have felt, how awkward he might now always feel around her.
A stray thought of Naruto flickered through her mind, complicating her emotions further. While there were still lingering feelings for her ex-husband, her recent crush on Sasuke had overwhelmed everything else. And now, she feared she might have jeopardized one of the most important relationships in her life.
Slowly sitting up, Hinata squinted against the daylight that seemed intent on aggravating her headache. What should she do next? Apologize to Sasuke? Avoid him until her feelings were more manageable?
As she swung her legs off the bed, steadying herself against the rush of vertigo, Hinata wished more than anything that she hadn't acted on her feelings. She hoped desperately that she hadn't ruined the precious friendship that had come to mean so much to her.
Hinata descended the stairs slowly, her body still protesting from the aftereffects of the previous night. The scent of tea reached her even before she entered the kitchen, bringing a sense of comfort. As she rounded the corner, she saw Hanabi already sitting at the table, a pot of tea and two steaming cups waiting for them.
Hinata smiled, the warmth in her heart growing as she saw her sister had anticipated her need. "Thank you, Hanabi," she said softly, her voice still a little hoarse from sleep.
Hanabi looked up, a playful glint in her eyes as she leaned back in her chair. "Good morning, big sister. You look... refreshed," she teased, her smile widening as Hinata walked over and sat down, resting her head on her hand.
Hinata sighed as she picked up the tea, grateful for the warmth in her hands. She took a sip, feeling the soothing liquid ease the pounding in her head slightly. "It was...a long night," she admitted, not offering much more, but her expression said plenty.
Hanabi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I'll bet it was," she said with a smirk. "You look like you're paying for it now." Her eyes twinkled as she leaned in a little closer. "Did you at least enjoy yourself?"
Hinata smiled, though it was a little weak. "It was... fun," she replied vaguely, trying not to reveal too much. She couldn't bring herself to talk about what had happened with Sasuke—not yet. That was something she needed to process on her own.
Hanabi took a sip of her tea, still studying Hinata with that knowing look of hers. "Fun, huh? You sure? You don't seem as enthusiastic." She smirked at Hinata's obvious hangover and leaned back again, folding her arms. "You know, one of these days, you and I should go out drinking together. I always go with Konohamaru, but it'd be nice to have a big sister night for a change."
Hinata chuckled softly at the idea, though her headache made her wince a little. "Konohamaru? I didn't know you two went out like that," she said, taking another sip of tea. She paused for a moment, trying to imagine herself and Hanabi at one of the rowdy bars she knew her younger sister frequented.
Hanabi grinned. "Oh yeah. He's fun to hang out with, and it's nice to blow off some steam with him. But seriously, we need a sister night. I'm not saying we get as wild as I do with Konohamaru, but still, you deserve a fun night out with me."
Hinata gave her a soft smile, the idea of spending more time with Hanabi sounded appealing. "I'm not sure I can keep up with your usual night out," she admitted, shaking her head slightly, but the affection in her tone was clear. "But it does sound nice. Just the two of us."
Hanabi leaned forward, her expression softening for a moment. "I mean it, Hinata. We need some sister time. You've been through a lot lately...and I miss spending time with you. Just us."
Hinata's heart warmed at her sister's words. "I miss that too," she said, reaching out to place her hand on top of Hanabi's for a brief moment. "Maybe we can plan something soon."
"Good!" Hanabi replied, her smile returning. "Because I'm not taking no for an answer."
Hinata laughed lightly, feeling some of the tension from the previous night slowly ease away. "I wouldn't dare," she said, her smile growing just a bit wider.
They sat together in comfortable silence for a while, sipping their tea. Hinata was grateful for moments like this, where everything else seemed to melt away, even if just for a little while.
Hanabi glanced at her, her teasing tone returning. "So... you're not going to tell me what happened last night, are you?"
Hinata's face turned a light shade of pink as she quickly shook her head, giving her sister a playful but firm look. "Not today."
Hanabi raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But don't think I'm not going to pry later."
Hinata chuckled softly, taking another sip of her tea, letting the warmth of her sister's presence calm her. For now, she'd keep the events of the previous night tucked away, at least until she figured out how to process it herself.
XXXXXXXXX
Previous night…
Sasuke stood frozen in front of Hinata's door, his breath shallow, his mind racing as the echo of her words and the sensation of her kiss lingered in the air. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Hinata—his best friend—had kissed him. And she had confessed, told him she liked him.
His immediate instinct had been shock, the kind that paralyzed him, left him unable to respond before she had pulled away, looking hurt, embarrassed, and vulnerable. The hurt in her eyes—it gnawed at him. He had caused that.
Maybe she was drunk, he thought, trying to make sense of it. But he quickly dismissed it. Drunk or not, Hinata was too sincere, too genuine to say something she didn't mean. She had always been the type to wear her heart on her sleeve, even when she tried to hide it. He knew that much.
He stayed there, rooted to the spot outside her door, replaying everything in his mind. The way her lips had brushed his, the way she had looked at him after, like she regretted it but couldn't take it back. He had just stood there, frozen, like an idiot.
Eventually, his feet moved on their own, turning him away from her door. He walked slowly down the dimly lit streets of Konoha, his hand tucked into his pocket, but his mind felt anything but calm. He replayed the moment over and over again, trying to make sense of it all. The way she looked at him before walking inside, her downcast eyes, the way her expression crumbled for just a moment before she turned away. It stayed with him like an imprint burned into his mind.
Hinata had never looked at him like that before—hurt, rejected. It was a look he hadn't expected from her, especially because he had been the cause. Sasuke clenched his jaw, the weight of guilt pressing down on him.
By the time he reached his house, the cool night air did little to ease the tension that had knotted itself into his chest. He didn't bother heading to the bedroom. Instead, he sank onto the couch in the living room, the only light coming from the faint glow of the moon filtering through the window. He draped an arm over his eyes, trying to shut everything out. But he couldn't stop thinking about it.
What was he supposed to do now? Apologize? But wouldn't that just make things worse? Apologizing might make her feel even more humiliated. And what could he even say? He wasn't angry with her, not at all, but would she even believe that?
The memory of Itachi came back to him, unbidden. The day his brother returned to the village for Naruto, not him. The rejection he had felt then, the anger, the pain—it had all consumed him. Was that how Hinata felt now? He didn't want her to feel that way. He couldn't stand the thought of her feeling that toward him.
But what was worse was that he had no idea what to do. If he gave her space, she might assume he wanted nothing more to do with her. But if he pushed to talk to her too soon, it could make things more awkward between them. Hinata wasn't like anyone else in his life. She wasn't someone he could distance himself from easily. The idea of losing her as a friend—it sat in his gut like a heavy stone.
As Sasuke lay there, his mind raced in a constant loop of uncertainty and guilt, the silence around him growing louder. He didn't know what to do, and the longer he lay there, the more frustrated he became with himself.
The soft creak of the bedroom door interrupted his spiraling thoughts. Karin appeared in the doorway, rubbing her eyes. She glanced at him, her brow furrowing.
"I didn't even hear you come in," she said quietly, her voice breaking the stillness. "Why are you sleeping on the couch?"
Sasuke didn't respond, didn't move. He wasn't in the mood to talk, especially not about the thoughts that were swirling in his head. He let out a slow, measured breath and kept his arm draped over his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Karin stood there for a moment, staring at him, likely waiting for some acknowledgment. When none came, she sighed softly and eventually turned back toward the bedroom, leaving him alone.
As the door clicked shut, Sasuke exhaled, lowering his arm from his face. He stared up at the ceiling, the glow of the moon the only thing keeping the room from complete darkness. The weight of what had happened—of how he had hurt Hinata—pressed down on him like a physical ache.
He didn't know how to fix this, but he knew one thing for sure. He had to. The last thing he wanted was for things between them to stay broken.
XXXXXXX
Present…
Sasuke was already at the training ground before the sun had fully risen, the pale light casting long shadows among the trees. The cool morning air was crisp against his skin, but he barely noticed. His focus was absolute as he moved through a series of strikes and kicks, each one more forceful than the last. The physical exertion was a welcome distraction, but no matter how hard he pushed himself, he couldn't shake the image of Hinata's hurt expression from the night before.
He struck the training post again, the wood splintering slightly under the impact of his fist. Sweat dripped down his brow, but he ignored it, his mind replaying the moment when Hinata had looked up at him, vulnerability clear in her eyes. She had confessed her feelings and kissed him
Frustrated, he aimed another powerful punch at the post, not realizing he'd misjudged the distance. His fist connected hard with the rough bark, and a sharp pain shot through his hand. He hissed softly, pulling back to inspect the damage. Blood trickled from where splinters had embedded themselves into his skin.
"Great," he muttered, irritation evident in his tone. He flexed his fingers, feeling the sting intensify. The logical part of his mind told him he'd need to get it healed. The last thing he needed was an infection or hindered mobility. With a sigh, he decided to head to the hospital. He'd have to ask Sakura to heal it—a prospect he wasn't particularly thrilled about.
Walking through the village, he kept his gaze forward, avoiding the morning crowds as they began their daily routines. Upon reaching the hospital, he made his way inside, scanning the area until he spotted Sakura organizing medical supplies.
"Sasuke-kun?" she said, looking up in surprise. Her eyes immediately fell to his injured hand. "What happened? Training too hard again?"
He offered a noncommittal grunt in response.
She gave a small smiles. "Come here. I'll take care of it."
He followed her to an empty examination room and sat on the bed. Extending his hand, he watched as she activated her healing jutsu, the soft green light enveloping his wound.
They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment before she spoke. "Have you been doing well?"
He nodded slightly. "Yeah. You?"
"I'm good," she replied. "Work has been busy, but I don't mind."
He glanced at her, noting the ease in her demeanor. Their last conversation hadn't been pleasant, but now she seemed... different. More at peace. It was a change he hadn't expected but found himself appreciating.
She finished healing his hand and released it gently. "There you go. Try to be more careful."
He flexed his fingers, the pain gone. "Thanks."
She smiled. "Anytime."
He stood up to leave. "I should get going."
"Take care, Sasuke-kun," she said softly.
He gave a brief nod and exited the hospital. Outside, the village was fully awake now, the streets livelier. As he walked, his thoughts drifted back to Hinata. He still wasn't sure how to approach the situation, but avoiding it—and her—wasn't a solution.
Lost in thought, he nearly collided with someone turning the corner.
"Ah, Sasuke," Kakashi greeted, his visible eye crinkling into a smile above his mask. "You're up early."
Sasuke considered making a quick escape but decided against it. "Mm."
Kakashi fell into step beside him. "Heading somewhere in particular?"
"No."
They walked in silence for a moment before Kakashi glanced over. "You seem a bit off today. Something on your mind?"
Sasuke tensed subtly. "I'm fine."
Kakashi hummed thoughtfully. "You know, I've been around long enough to recognize when someone has something weighing on them."
"It's nothing," Sasuke insisted, keeping his gaze ahead.
"Well, if you ever feel like talking, I'm here," Kakashi offered casually. "I may not be your brother, but I do care about you. Like family."
Sasuke felt a flicker of embarrassment mixed with something else he couldn't quite identify. He averted his eyes. "I told you, it's nothing."
Kakashi chuckled softly. "Still the same as ever." Without warning, he reached out and ruffled Sasuke's hair in a familiar, affectionate gesture.
Sasuke scowled, stepping away and swatting his hand aside. "Cut it out. I'm not a kid."
"Could've fooled me," Kakashi teased, his eye crinkling again. "But point taken. My apologies." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I just wanted to remind you that you're not alone. No matter what."
Sasuke glanced at him from the corner of his eye. The sincerity in Kakashi's voice was unmistakable. It was rare for him to be so direct, and it caught Sasuke slightly off guard.
"Mm," he mumbled, not trusting himself to say more.
With a final pat on the shoulder, Kakashi stepped away. "I'll leave you to it then. Take care, Sasuke."
He watched as Kakashi walked away, the former Hokage's posture relaxed as he blended into the crowd, one hand raised in a casual wave. Sasuke stood there for a moment, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.
XXXXXXXX
Hinata's footsteps were hesitant, barely audible against the ground as she approached Sasuke's front door. Her heart pounded, each beat so loud in her ears that it felt like it might burst out of her chest at any moment. She felt like her body was betraying her—trembling hands, weak knees. But despite the fear that knotted her stomach, she forced herself to keep walking.
She had to talk to him. She had to apologize. Maybe she had made everything awkward after her confession, and the kiss...Oh, that kiss. The memory of it made her face burn in shame. Sasuke hadn't even kissed her back. What had she been thinking?
Every step toward his door felt like she was walking through thick fog, her nerves rattling more violently the closer she got. The moment her knuckles lightly tapped against the door, she hoped, briefly, that maybe he wasn't home. Her knock had been too soft, barely a whisper against the wood.
No, she couldn't leave like this. Hinata steeled herself and knocked again, a bit harder this time.
Her breath caught in her throat when the door creaked open, but it wasn't Sasuke standing there.
It was Karin.
Wide-eyed, Hinata stared, unsure of what to say. Karin blinked back at her, just as surprised to see her.
"Wait…aren't you Naruto's wife?" Karin asked, tilting her head as if she wasn't sure. There was no malice in her voice, just curiosity.
Hinata nodded slowly, the title of 'wife' feeling like an anchor dragging her down, despite it no longer being true. She didn't want to explain. Not to Karin. Not right now.
"What are you doing here?" Karin asked, still friendly, but there was an undercurrent of confusion in her tone. "Are you looking for Sasuke-kun?"
Hinata's mouth felt dry, and she could barely speak. "I—" Her words caught in her throat, and she nodded again, her heart sinking.
"He's not home right now," Karin explained. "He'll be back later, though. Do you want me to tell him you came by?"
Hinata's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she forced herself to smile. "N-No, that's alright. I'll just come back another time," she said, her voice soft but steady, despite the storm swirling inside her. "Thank you."
Karin smiled politely. "Okay, then. Nice seeing you," she said before gently closing the door.
Hinata stood there for a moment, frozen, staring at the closed door. It felt like the ground had been ripped out from beneath her feet. She turned away, feeling the weight of every step, as if the air itself was pressing down on her shoulders.
Karin had been in Sasuke's house. She answered the door like she belonged there.
The pain stabbed at her chest, sharp and relentless. Was that why Sasuke rejected her? Was he with Karin? Her mind raced, flooded with possibilities she hadn't considered. Sasuke had never mentioned anything about Karin, not once. But why? He had been so open with her before—he told her everything, from his feelings about Sakura after their divorce to the smallest details about his day. She had trusted that openness, that friendship.
But he hadn't told her about this.
A cold, heavy feeling settled in her stomach, her heart twisting in a way that made it hard to breathe. It hurt. More than she thought it would.
Hinata's pace quickened as she left, her breaths shallow and uneven. Every thought felt heavier than the last. She had always admired Sasuke's honesty, how he didn't hide behind facades. So why didn't he tell her about Karin? Was it because he didn't think it mattered? Or worse...did she not matter?
The jealousy simmered inside her, painful and bitter. She clenched her fists tighter, nails digging into her palms as she tried to suppress the surge of emotions.
She hated this. She hated how small she felt, how jealous she was of Karin, even though she had no right to be. Sasuke was her friend, her best friend, and she had crossed a line. She never should have kissed him. Never should have confessed. Maybe he wasn't interested because he already had someone else.
She had been so stupid to think he might feel the same way.
Her mind flashed back to a conversation they'd had not long ago, when Sasuke told her about Sakura asking him if he was seeing anyone. He had told her no. So had he lied? Was it Karin all along?
She felt the sting of that thought, the sharpness of betrayal, though she knew it was wrong to feel that way. Sasuke didn't owe her anything, least of all his heart. And yet, here she was, feeling crushed by something she had no right to feel.
As she walked, her breath hitched, and she blinked away the tears that threatened to spill over. The world around her blurred, but she kept moving, hoping the pain would lessen with each step.
But it didn't. It only seemed to grow.
Hinata's feet moved mechanically, taking her in the direction of the academy, though she wasn't sure why. She just needed to escape the whirlwind of emotions tearing her apart. The jealousy that gnawed at her, the hurt that settled deep in her chest—it was overwhelming, and she didn't know how to quiet it. The sight of Karin at Sasuke's door had been too much. The easy way she stood there, answering the door like it was her own home, like she belonged there with him. It stung more than Hinata was willing to admit.
She walked through the academy grounds, her eyes landing on the lone swing under the tree. Her legs felt heavy as she approached it, almost giving way beneath her. She sat down, clutching the ropes at her sides, letting the silence and stillness around her attempt to soothe her heart.
But the ache persisted.
She tried to push the thoughts away. Why didn't Sasuke tell her about Karin? Why didn't he trust her enough to be honest? Her mind kept spinning. It wasn't fair. It wasn't even logical. She had no claim over him, no right to feel this jealousy, but she couldn't stop it from bubbling up inside her. She had made a fool of herself, confessing her feelings and kissing him. And now…this.
Her eyes fluttered shut as she let out a quiet sigh, her fingers tightening their grip on the rope. She had never been good at dealing with this kind of pain, and the weight of it was exhausting.
"Hinata?"
A familiar voice broke through her thoughts, gentle yet concerned. Her eyes opened, and she looked up to see Shino standing there, his usual calm expression hidden behind his dark glasses. He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to gauge her mood.
"Shino-kun..." Hinata murmured, her voice soft and weary.
"What are you doing here at the academy?" Shino asked, his deep voice filled with a quiet curiosity.
Hinata forced a small smile, though it felt brittle. "I was just…thinking," she replied, unsure of how else to explain her presence there.
Shino's gaze lingered on her, and though his face remained as impassive as ever, Hinata could feel his concern. He wasn't one to pry, but his presence alone was comforting. He took a few steps closer and then, instead of towering over her, he crouched down in front of the swing, his face level with hers.
"You don't need to worry about me, Shino-kun," Hinata said softly, her voice wavering just slightly. She tried to maintain her smile, but she knew it didn't reach her eyes. "I'll be fine."
Shino remained silent for a moment, studying her. She couldn't tell if he was looking at her directly through his dark glasses, but she could sense his attention. "Hinata," he began, his voice measured and calm. "We've known each other for a long time. I may not be as close to you as Kiba is, but I've been your friend for just as long. I understand you more than you might think."
Hinata's smile faltered, and she pressed her lips together, the weight of his words settling over her. Shino was right. He had always been quietly observant, always watching out for her in his own way. She took a deep breath, wondering if she should tell him what was bothering her. But she couldn't talk about Sasuke or Karin. It felt too personal, too raw.
"I've just been… thinking about things," Hinata said, her voice barely above a whisper. "About life, about people. Sometimes it's hard to know if you're…making the right choices. You don't want to hurt anyone, but sometimes, no matter what you do, someone ends up hurt."
Shino didn't respond right away, but he didn't need to. His quiet presence was enough to let her know he was listening. She continued, choosing her words carefully. "Have you ever felt like you were…lost, even when you thought you knew where you were going?"
For a moment, Shino remained still, the soft breeze rustling the leaves above them. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice as steady as always. "Sometimes we feel lost because we're afraid of what we might find if we keep going. But that doesn't mean we should stop moving forward."
Hinata looked at him, feeling his words sink into her. She had been trying so hard to bury her emotions, to push them down and avoid the truth. But running away from them wasn't helping either.
Shino stood up, holding out his hand toward her. "Come on. Sitting here won't make things clearer. Join me for lunch."
Hinata blinked up at him, surprised by the offer, but after a moment, she smiled—this time, a genuine one. She reached out and took his hand, letting him help her stand. "Thank you, Shino-kun."
As they walked toward the academy building together, the tension in her chest seemed to ease, if only a little. Shino led her to the teacher's lounge, where he unpacked his lunch and they sat together at the table.
"So," Shino began, as he took a bite of his food, "how have things been for you lately?"
Hinata glanced at him and smiled, grateful for the simple question. "Busy. But...good," she replied.
The earlier tension she had felt was starting to ease, thanks to his quiet understanding. She glanced at him, curiosity bubbling up inside her, and decided to shift the conversation to something lighter.
"Shino-kun," she started, her voice soft but teasing, "what happened to that woman you went on a date with? Are you still seeing her?"
Shino's steps faltered for just a second, and Hinata caught the faint blush creeping up from his neck. He cleared his throat, trying to compose himself, but Hinata had already seen the small giveaway in his normally calm demeanor.
"I...am," Shino replied, his tone even, though the slight tint of pink on his cheeks remained. "We've been seeing each other occasionally."
Hinata's smile widened at his admission. It wasn't often that Shino talked about his personal life, so hearing this little detail was heartwarming. She couldn't help but tease him a bit more. "That's wonderful, Shino-kun. I'm happy for you. She must be really special if you're blushing this much."
Shino adjusted his sunglasses, as if trying to hide his embarrassment further. "I'm not blushing," he murmured, though the redness had deepened slightly. "It's just...warm in here."
Hinata giggled softly, bringing her hand to her mouth to stifle the sound. "Of course," she said, playing along. "It's definitely the heat."
Shino slid a portion of his meal toward Hinata. She blinked, surprised but touched by the gesture. "Are you sure?" she asked.
He nodded, his usual quiet manner returning. "I made enough for two. Besides, you might not have had the chance to eat yet."
Hinata accepted gratefully, taking small bites of the food as they continued their conversation. They spoke about the academy, the students, and the everyday things that were a welcome distraction from the heavier thoughts that had been weighing on her heart earlier.
Hinata glanced at Shino after a while, her smile softening. "Thank you, Shino-kun. For...everything." She wasn't just thanking him for sharing his lunch or for keeping her company, but for being the kind of friend who always knew when to offer support without needing to pry.
Shino looked at her from behind his sunglasses, his expression calm but warm. "You don't need to thank me, Hinata. We've been friends for a long time. It's only natural."
Hinata nodded, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days.
XXXXXXX
Sasuke's heart raced, his mind a tangled mess as he approached the Hokage Tower. He had set out to ask Naruto for a mission, hoping for a distraction from the swirling thoughts in his mind. Maybe a day mission would help clear his head. Maybe some action would drown out the memories of the kiss that had caught him completely off guard.
But as he walked, something familiar caught his eye. The dark, flowing hair he knew anywhere. Hinata. He knew it was her without even seeing her face. His heart clenched in his chest, unsure of what to do.
Would she even want to see him? The rejection, her hurt expression, the way her lips had trembled after pulling away from that kiss—he had replayed it all over and over in his mind. He hated himself for hurting her.
What if she didn't want to talk to him? What if seeing him now only made things worse? What could he even say to make it better?
Just as he debated whether to turn back, Hinata seemed to sense him. Her wide, pale eyes turned, locking with his. The world around them blurred as their gazes met, as if nothing else existed but the two of them standing there. For a moment, he felt his feet move on their own, pushing him toward her. Maybe this was his chance to explain, to try and make things right.
But before he could get too close, Hinata abruptly turned and started walking away, her pace quickening. Sasuke felt an ache shoot through him. Hurt. Annoyed. Without thinking, his own feet sped up. He couldn't just let her walk away like this.
"Hinata," he called, his voice strained, but she didn't stop.
He quickened his pace and reached out, grabbing her arm gently, turning her around to face him. Her eyes, however, stayed focused on the ground. She wouldn't look at him.
"You're not even going to look at me?" he asked, trying to force a casual tone. "You know, I thought I told you not to hide from me."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she finally replied, her voice quiet but cutting, "You were talking about my chakra then. I'm not hiding that."
The words stung more than he cared to admit, and Sasuke felt the weight of her pain pressing down on him. He let go of her arm, inhaling deeply, trying to find the right words.
"Look, Hinata..." he began, but she cut him off.
"Are you with Karin?" Her bluntness shocked him, and his mind scrambled to process the question. "Is that why you rejected me?"
Sasuke stumbled over his words, confused by the sudden question. "What? Why would you—"
"You heard me," she mumbled, but there was a bitterness in her voice he wasn't used to hearing from her. She still wouldn't look at him.
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Why would you think that?"
"I went to your house," Hinata replied softly, her voice almost a whisper now. "Karin answered the door."
Sasuke felt a knot tightening in his stomach. Of course, Karin had been staying at his place. He hadn't even thought about how that might've looked to Hinata. He groaned inwardly, trying to figure out how to explain it without making things worse.
"I'm not with Karin," he said finally, his voice firm. "She's been staying at my place for a bit...but we're not together."
Hinata didn't seem convinced. She still didn't meet his eyes, and it stung more than he wanted to admit. Frustration bubbled up in him, and before he could stop himself, his hand reached out and gently grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"I'm serious, Hinata," he said, his eyes searching hers. "Karin and I aren't in a relationship."
Her wide eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, it felt like they were back to how they used to be, before everything became complicated. But as soon as he dropped his hand, the tension returned.
"She looked pretty comfortable there," Hinata muttered, her gaze fixed on the ground. Her words were sharp, tinged with something that made Sasuke wince.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her comment. "Are you jealous?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood, but the second the words left his mouth, he knew he'd made a mistake.
Hinata's reaction was immediate, her cheeks turning red as she shot back, "No! I'm not jealous!" She crossed her arms and took a step back, glaring at him—still not meeting his eyes, though.
Sasuke felt a pang of embarrassment. He shouldn't have teased her, not now. He glanced away, suddenly unsure of how to proceed. He had to be honest with her. He didn't want to hurt her more, but if he didn't tell her the truth, it would only cause more damage.
Sasuke glanced away, embarrassed and unsure of how to navigate this. "Look," he said, his voice quieter, "sometimes people have…needs." He felt ridiculous even saying it, especially to Hinata. When he glanced at her, her face had flushed a deep red, and she took another step back from him, clearly uncomfortable.
"So that's what it is," she murmured, her voice cracking slightly.
Sasuke cursed inwardly. "That's not why I rejected you," he quickly said, his frustration bubbling over. He hated the way this conversation was going. "I wasn't expecting…I didn't know you felt that way about me."
Hinata stiffened at his words, and before he could say more, she interrupted him. "I'm sorry for kissing you," she blurted out. "I made things awkward between us. I shouldn't have done that. If you want space, I understand."
Sasuke clenched his jaw, feeling the sting of her words. "You don't have to apologize," he said, his voice firm. "You surprised me, yeah, but I don't want you to think I don't care about you."
Hinata's eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions—hurt, confusion, and something else he couldn't place. She was standing there, right in front of him, but he felt like he was losing her.
Hinata stayed silent, her face etched with pain, and Sasuke felt like an even bigger jerk for making her feel this way. He couldn't stand seeing her hurt. "Hinata, I think you're...incredible. You're sweet, you're strong, and I enjoy spending time with you." Sasuke said softly, trying to reach her through the wall she had built around herself. "I just…I'm not sure if I can return your feelings."
Her lips trembled slightly, and he could see the pain in her eyes, despite how hard she was trying to hide it. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, to take back the hurt he had caused, but he knew that would only confuse things more.
"Do you need space from me?" Sasuke asked quietly, his voice thick with an emotion he didn't recognize.
Hinata was silent for a moment, her gaze distant. Finally, she shook her head, but Sasuke wasn't convinced.
"I'll be okay," she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.
But Sasuke wasn't sure. He didn't want to lose her—her friendship meant more to him than he could explain. Yet, he didn't want her to hurt being around him, either.
"We're still friends, right?" he asked cautiously, not wanting to push too hard but needing to know where they stood.
Hinata nodded, but the sadness in her eyes didn't match her response. Sasuke felt that familiar knot tighten in his chest, the weight of uncertainty heavier than ever.
"I don't want to lose you," Sasuke admitted quietly. "But I also don't want to hurt you."
Hinata finally met his gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You haven't lost me," she said softly, but the words felt hollow.
He wanted to be there for her, but now he worried that every moment spent together would remind her of the feelings she has for him, the feelings he wasn't sure he could reciprocate.
Sasuke exhaled, not sure what to say or do next. They stood there in silence, the weight of everything unspoken pressing down on them. He didn't want to push her, but he didn't want to let her go either.
"If you really do need time, I'll understand," Sasuke said finally. "I'll wait…as long as it takes."
Hinata gave him a small nod, though the sadness never left her eyes. Without another word, she turned and started to walk away. Sasuke watched her leave, feeling the ache of regret settle deeper in his chest.
He would wait. But for how long, he didn't know.