Day 11: Nicknames

Sasuke would be lying if he said he never wondered what kissing felt like. And no, he wasn't counting that accidental lip-lock with Naruto as a kiss. Never.

It happened at the beginning of his last school year, when he was returning home after a productive day at the academy. He saw Itachi's shoes on the front door, and, happy because his older brother had arrived earlier than expected from his mission, ran to his bedroom to greet him. Before he could knock, however, he heard voices from inside that he soon recognized as those of his older brother and Izumi.

"Maybe we can try this one next. I heard they have this new flavor…"

"You can't always buy me with dango, you know?"

"But you make it so easy!"

What was Izumi doing inside Itachi's bedroom? He remembered quite clearly their father forbidding him from taking girls in when he or his mother were not at home, although Sasuke didn't really understand why his older brother would ever want one of those things there. But Izumi was different, she was actually nice and he could tell Itachi was fond of her.

"You really like pushing my buttons, don't you?" that was his brother's voice. Sasuke frowned, finding it weird how… deep it sounded. He debated between knocking and just leaving them on their own for the time being, but then, he heard a squeal, some rustling, and…

…nothing. They weren't speaking anymore. Curious as to what could have possibly happened, he stepped up and, forgetting about his manners, opened the door. The scene that greeted him left him completely stunned.

"Sasuke!" Itachi yelled, sitting up and briskly walking towards him. Izumi also sat, face red and hands flying to the hem of her shirt that for some reason was up, showing her stomach.

Sasuke couldn't see more as he was literally grabbed from the scruff of his shirt and pulled outside, the door to the room slamming shut behind Itachi. The older boy stared harshly at him, crossing his arms, and Sasuke glanced away, intimidated by this.

"Sorry…" he muttered, feeling heat under the skin of his face.

Itachi sighed. "You should always knock before entering, Sasuke. You know that."

"I do! But… but I heard Izumi-san was there, and then this squeal, and everything got quiet after that…" he explained, scratching at his arm in a show of self-consciousness. Itachi cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Well, yes… that's still no reason to enter without knocking."

"Why were you kissing Izumi-san, nii-san? I thought you said she wasn't your girlfriend" he said, glancing at him curiously. Itachi looked uncomfortable, looking to the side in embarrassment.

"She isn't… it's just…"

"Then why were you kissing her? That's something only couples do, like mom and dad" he made a face, remembering the very rare occasions when his parents would kiss in front of him. If Itachi was kissing Izumi, even going as far as pushing her to the bed, then didn't that mean they were dating?

As if caught without a proper retort, Itachi simply cleared his throat, looking more and more awkward by the second, something that bewildered Sasuke. "Kissing… it's not necessarily done only between couples."

"No?" the boy frowned, before grimacing. "Why would you do it then? Girls are annoying."

"Izumi's just a little annoying."

"You're still saying she's annoying. Why kiss her?"

Itachi leaned back, his back pressing against the door of his bedroom. He looked at it, his eyes narrowing as if in concentration, and after another second nodded to himself and turned back towards his younger brother. "Kissing's a… nice activity. I like it" he answered simply, before straightening and poking him hard on the forehead, enough to make him take a step back. "Now go do your homework or train or something else. And don't forget to always knock."

"Hey!"

But it was too late, as Itachi quickly opened his door again and entered. This time, Sasuke heard the distinct sound of the key being turned and locked. He glared at the wood, annoyed at his older brother and his vague answers, before turning around in the direction of his own room to do as he said.

Since then, he had been curious. Because, any activity his brother deemed as nice must be really it, no? Of course, he wasn't curious enough to try it with some random girl, but sometimes it would pop in his mind, especially whenever the girls in his class would talk loudly about it and how they wanted to do it with him, as if he was not there or as if they wanted him to take the initiative by their blatant implications.

Naïve fools.

But it was different now, and, as he stared up at the fluorescent red face of his girlfriend, the ugly shade making her eyes stand out more, the rain plastering her hair to her forehead in a mess, and some mud splattered across the bridge of her nose, he couldn't help but wonder once again.

And so he tried it, because Hinata wasn't some random girl. And, as he found out after the first kiss, his nii-san was right. Kissing was nice. More than nice, actually. Her lips felt chapped, but they were soft, and there was something just so… intimate about it. He didn't know how else to describe it.

Of course, as it was bound to happen being Hinata and all, the girl fainted upon the second kiss, much to his continued frustration. But this time he took full responsibility. She had told him she wanted him to take it slow after all, and he had not listened, as caught in the moment as he was. Just for this time, he would give her a pass.

It was still annoying waiting under the rain, back resting against the tree trunk with Hinata's head on his lap, waiting for her to finally wake up. Luckily it wasn't pouring as much now, but the drizzle was cold, and as the day continued to pass, the chill felt more and more pointed. In the end, he didn't take off her jacket, thinking that it would be creepy doing so while she was unconscious, but he was starting to… well, not really worry but…

…it was getting colder, and she was shivering more than before.

He was also a bit cold by now.

Letting out a breath, he decided to try to wake her up. He didn't know how much time had passed, but surely by now she should be better, no?

He shook her lightly, and to his relief, she started to stir. Her eyelids tightened before slowly lifting, revealing tired and confused eyes. He glanced down, holding her gaze as she blinked a few times, adjusting her gaze and taking in her surroundings; waiting as she got her bearings back, his heart beating fast and his breath held in expectation of her reaction.

It was just as he thought it would be. Her eyes opened wide as soon as she focused on him, and she sprung up from his lap, a yelp coming out of her mouth as she backed away, hands sliding against the slippery ground and coating themselves and her pants with dirt and dead leaves.

He rolled his eyes.

"You're awake now, good" he stood up, dusting himself, something that he soon realized was impossible because of how much covered in mud he was. He frowned, before shaking his head and looking back at her. His frown became even more pronounced as he saw the look of pure horror on her face. "What now" he gritted out even though he had a pretty good idea of what exactly was going on.

Hinata breathed shallowly, her chest rapidly rising and falling with the movement. Sasuke was already aware of the signs of another imminent faint spell, so he quickly pulled her up, firmly holding her by the shoulders and telling her to "slow down. Breathe. Don't you dare faint again!"

"B-But…!" the girl whined pathetically.

"Stop! At least if you faint wait until we're under a roof! This rain just won't let out and I don't plan to carry your unconscious body anywhere!" he demanded with a shakier voice than he wanted to. After all, he really didn't want someone catching them and blaming him for her state or anything like that. The thought of crossing paths with a Hyuuga that would demand an explanation filled him with weariness. He didn't want to have to explain himself or lie; for that reason, it was better if she didn't faint again.

And his attempts to prevent such a thing seemed to work. Hinata's breathing slowed down, and her pale face regained some of its color. However, before he could feel relief at this, she raised her hands and pushed against him, strong enough to make him, once again, fall down on the muddy ground with a splat.

"Hey, what was that for-?"

"Y-Y-You pervert!" Hinata screamed, eyes closed and face pinched in mortification.

Sasuke stopped, not just his body but also his mind. He stared at her trembling form, unable to process the words.

What… what had she called him?

"I-I told you I wanted to go slow!" the girl continued, still not opening her eyes. "Why did you have to k-k-kiss me? You're a p-pervert!"

Upon hearing her calling him that for a second time, Sasuke finally woke up. He stood up with a frown, fists clenching at his sides. "Stop that! I'm not a pervert!"

"Yes, you are!" she looked at him then, but the sight of him might have been too much, because she quickly glanced away. "You shouldn't have… that is… why…?"

"Don't faint!" he demanded again when he saw her wobbling a little. He extended his arms to catch her in case it happened, but luckily she managed to stand firm despite how embarrassed she was. He was also embarrassed alright. Being called a pervert wasn't exactly the most flattering thing ever… especially by his own girlfriend! "Alright, listen, I… I wasn't thinking when I kissed you, but that's no reason to call me that!"

"B-But! You're always trying to make me t-touch you, a-and holding my hand and hugging me…! And now you kissed me! Why do you want me to touch you so badly? It's the only explanation!" she raised her voice, looking at him firmly for once.

Sasuke almost choked on nothing but his own saliva.

Is that what she really thinks of me?! The gall! As if she was someone special enough for him to want to… to want to…!

"It's not like that! The only reason is because-!"

"Stop using what your brother's girlfriend told you as an excuse!" she interrupted before he could give his usual explanation, causing him to gape at her with incredulity. Excuse? Excuse?!

What she was saying was so ridiculous! What she was implying even more. How dare she call him a pervert, and then accuse him of using Izumi's advice just to get handsy with her! Who did she think she was?

"Hn…" he bit his lip, his face lowering enough for his bangs to cover his eyes. Hyuuga Hinata was a girl with a lot of guts, he'd give her that. But she was also so incredibly wrong and he was going to show her.

He was going to show her, and for that reason, when he opened his mouth, the first words out of it were; "the princess of the Hyuuga sure has a big ego… or have you forgotten that you sent me a love letter? That you confessed to me? Why would I even want to kiss you or touch you at all if not because it's what's expected of us? I don't even know where you get the stupid idea that I would want, out of my own free will, for you to touch me!" he shouted while shaking.

Taken aback by his words and new posture, Hinata looked at him, carefully mulling over his questions. The fact she didn't answer immediately pissed him off.

"What? Too prideful to admit when you're wrong? Accusing me of something as unsightly as being a p-pervert with you…" his voice started to tremble along with his body. Hinata frowned.

"I don't have a big ego… I-I'm not the one seeking contact all the time…" she stuttered, a bit fearful of the sudden look of anger on his face.

Sasuke snorted. "Yes, you do have a big ego. You're nothing but a spoiled princess who believes is too good for a real relationship, aren't you?"

"That's not-!" Hinata closed her eyes, pursing her lips as if she was trying to remain calm. "Please, stop calling me a princess… I don't like it."

"You don't like it? Good. I'll be calling you that from now on then" he replied with bitterness. Hinata actually glared at him for this, and Sasuke felt a mix of satisfaction and something else he couldn't quite understand forming in his chest. Something that made him feel as if he was going to be sick.

"In… in that case…" she started, voice soft and low, maybe a little too soft. She wasn't looking at him anymore, her pose resembling his from just a moment ago, with her face down and her bangs over her eyes. "I should also… I should also call you p-pervert from now on…!"

His eyes widened. "Don't you dare!" he threatened, taking a step forward.

Hinata shook her head. "Then you shouldn't call me a princess!"

"Calling you a princess isn't on the same level as you calling me a pervert!"

"Yes it is! Because it bothers me just as much if not more! Mr. Pervert!"

"Spoiled princess!"

They glared at each other, breathing heavily as they had been getting worked up during their argument without noticing. Then, they both turned their heads away, refusing to look at each other, before walking in opposite directions.

The rain let out a little after.

Sorry to take out the sweet taste of last chapter, but let's not forget that Sasuke still kissed Hinata even after she specifically asked him to take things slow. Hinata's patient but even she has her limits.