Sorry for the extremely late update, I'm genuinely ashamed of that. I hope this chapter makes up for the wait loves. Enjoy!

Perspective chapter 8

Description: Sasuke Uchiha was not a pervert. It was his job to watch over the Hyuga girl.

She wasn't a mind reader but Hinata just knew Sasuke was pissed. He was perfectly calm as he walked carelessly ahead of her and Shino, but the energy he was giving off was one of irritability and, if she would dare go so far, blood lust. Just whose blood he was lusting after wasn't exactly clear at the moment however, so she remained planted at Shino's side and pretended like she wasn't losing her mind.

Sasuke had almost kissed her.

And she almost let him.

Scratch that. To be completely honest, she would have definitely let him if her teammate hadn't made an appearance. Exactly what that meant was a total mystery for her. As far as Hinata knew, she absolutely, one hundred percent did not like Sasuke in that way, nor would she ever. He was a nasty jerk.

But he was a very good looking nasty jerk. Was it possible for her to be attracted to him? A blush crept onto her cheeks as she let her gaze fall onto his back. It would be a lie if she denied that she didn't find him handsome. But Sasuke really wasn't her type. The only boy who would ever have her heart was Uzumaki Naruto, and he was too busy getting ready to marry another woman. Compared to Naruto Sasuke was just...different.

They were nothing alike in fact. Naruto with his bright blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Sasuke with those dark orbs and even darker tresses. As people they really were total opposites. Naruto was such a friendly and positive guy while Sasuke exuded this negative aura that could ruin a person's day. It made zero sense for her affections to shift from someone like Naruto to someone like Sasuke. It just screamed rebound.

That very morning she was telling herself how gross Sasuke was and now with a little bit of flirting and a little bit of touching she had no idea what to think anymore. Sasuke...he was...evil. And clearly aware of her vulnerability now that her chances to be with the only person she ever loved were pretty much done for.

"Are you alright?"

Shino had a light hand resting on her shoulder and she could see his brows furrowed underneath his shades. She flashed him a polite smile and nodded.

"I'm okay, don't worry."

They had arrived at their destination then, a large field where multiple game stands had been set up. Most of the people there were either parents or children and none were shinobi as far as she could tell.

"Where do you wanna go first?" It was Sasuke's turn to speak this time. He was looking at her with a neutral expression, the malicious aura he had been giving off now completely gone. Shino instinctively stepped closer to her and by the sudden narrowing of his eyes Hinata could tell Sasuke had noticed and did not like it one bit.

"Umm...how about the hoop toss? That looks like f-fun right?"

It had to be the lamest game possible but at least it didn't involve anything physical. She had a feeling anything could set him off now that she was sure it was Shino he was angry with. The last thing she needed was any kind of competitive sport to push Sasuke off his edge.

"Good choice," Shino chimed in, " Let's go Hinata."

That sense of blood lust she had noticed before was back at full throttle now that it was her and Shino who were walking ahead of the Uchiha. Her usually quiet teammate had a firm hold of her hand as he cocked his head slightly to the side as a subtle gesture to keep Sasuke in his sight.

"Hello there!"

The man who ran the stand was a chubby little guy who had a very warm smile that instantly put her at ease, "Step right up young lady, I have a feeling this is just the game for you!" He handed her a series of multi-colored hoops and gestured toward the glass bottles behind them, "Just aim and toss and you could be taking home some of these wonderful stuffed bears."

She smiled politely and graciously accepted the hoops, taking one in her hand and tucking the other four under her arm. Doing her best to ignore the two heaving males behind her, Hinata stuck her tongue out in concentration and flicked the hoop, an excited squeal escaping her lips as she watched it fall perfectly over the furthest bottle.

"Nice job Hyuga."

She turned her head to face Sasuke, who only winked at her in response. The compliment was unexpected and suddenly Hinata felt herself growing even more nervous under the Uchiha's scrutiny. She didn't want to look like an idiot in front of him.

Grabbing a hold of the next hoop, she gave it a second toss and missed completely. Sasuke let out a humorous huff and uncrossed his arms.

"Throw it with less force," he began to move toward her, "Let me help you-"

Before he could say anything further Shino was already behind her, his arm moving over hers and grasping the hoop, "That is quite alright. I can show her."

There it was again. That dark energy.

"Uh oh," the chubby man chimed in "looks like we've got a love triangle here!"

It was clearly a joke but Sasuke didn't do jokes and the only thing that was keeping the poor guy alive was Hinata's silent pleading for him not to end his life. Shino calmly gave her pointers and they both watched with silent pride as she tossed and landed the rest of the hoops.

The man running the hoop stand congratulated her and had her pick out a stuffed animal to keep with her as a prize. There were a whole bunch of bunnies and a few dinosaurs but the one that really caught her eye was a big stuffed tomato with an adorable grumpy face.

"H-here..." she smiled shyly and handed Sasuke the stuffed animal as a peace offering to diminish the growing tension between their group, "I know how much you like t-tomatoes so..."

Sasuke's face remained unreadable, save for the slight twitching of his brow. Suddenly she felt like giving him the stuffed tomato wasn't a very good idea, especially when the chubby hoop guy started to laugh.

"That's something new!" his belly moved with each giggle, "Be a man and get your gal a present next time!"

She could see it was taking his all not to murder the man so she began to walk towards another one of the stands in hopes Sasuke would just follow her and forget all about the embarrassment she just put him through.

He did.

"S-sorry-"

"It's fine."

Shino pointed out the potato sack run and seizing the opportunity to mend the growing rift between them she grabbed a hold of Sasuke's hand, a little chill running through her body from the contact and led him to the line up.

"L-Look, they're doing a partner run," she smiled up at his unamused glare, "Let's try a-and win!"

Shino remained quietly as their side, the tomato she had won for Sasuke tucked neatly in his grasp. He didn't say a word to either person nor did he bother to make a comment regarding their previous contact, though he very openly glared at the Uchiha. Hinata knew better than to give her teammate the wrong idea, she really did. But somehow seeing Sasuke upset made her more uncomfortable than the guaranteed chat Shino and Kiba were going to give her about the not-so-subtle change in her and her bodyguard's relationship. The very idea sent a shudder down her spine.

"Shino-kun, you and I can go n-next okay?"

He shook his head no. "That is fine Hinata. I don't particularly enjoy this kind of game."

The line moved at a steady pace and when they were finally brought to the front the organizers had each pair set up in a vertical line and handed them their potato sacks. Hinata fumbled with it for a little before Sasuke took it from her, opened the top part of it and bent down motioning for her to take a step in.

Knowing full well that he was at the perfect angle to see what was up her dress Hinata held out her hands and gripped the blue fabric close to her legs before somewhat clumsily stepping in.

"This is embarrassing," he muttered under his breath as he scanned the other (much much younger) participants.

Hinata brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, "No it's n-not, you're never too old to enjoy these kinds of games every once in a wHIII-"

Before she could even register it he had stepped into the potato sack with her, her back pressed firmly to his front with one of his hands resting at her hip.

"Sasuke-kun what are you d-doing?" she whispered hushed, doing her best to ignore the obvious stare Shino was giving them from the sidelines.

He cocked his head to the side as he made himself comfortable, "You're the one that wanted to do this, don't go getting all shy on me now."

"Alright everybody!" the main organizer yelled over the mumbles of the participants, "This game is simple, just communicate with your partner and get yourselves to the other side in one piece. If you fall you get right back up and finish what you started. Are we clear?"

"YYYEEEEESSSSS!""

Hinata took a deep breath and held onto the grainy fabric in front of her. She was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable, especially with the heat of Sasuke's breath tickling the back of her neck. A audience began to gather the track and it seemed all eyes were on them.

"You ready Hyuga?" he whispered into her ear, sending a pleasant chill down the side of her face.

"N-not really..."

"GO!" A loud buzzer went off and before she knew it they were moving at a surprisingy fast speed.

"Steady now," Sasuke instructed, the grip he had on her hip tightening, "focus on the other side."

How could she possibly do that? The heat in her face was actually making her sweat and with each move they took Sasuke's groin brushed up against her butt. It was embarrassing and awful and she just wanted to curl up into a ball and implode. The finish line somehow looked further and further from them the closer they got and she began to dizzy.

please let this moment end dear god.

"You feel nice," Sasuke teased upon noticing her flushed expression, his chin poking out from the side of her neck, "try not to faint, it's almost over."

She moved her hand and took a hold of his forearm to keep her balance, "y-y-yes...!"

They were in the lead now with a good chunk of the kids behind them having fallen in their places and a couple around their age following closely behind.

She could do this. She could totally do this. The finish line was right there in front of them and as soon as they got there it would be over and then she could go to the hotel room and cry and maybe run away forever. Just a few more-

"AAAHH...!"

Her ankle would twist.

Hadn't it been for Sasuke's freakish quick thinking she would have probably fallen face first on the dirt with a pocket full of sand in her mouth to go with it. Instead he twisted her body so that he landed flat on his back with his front cushioning her fall.

The band that had been holding Hinata's bun in place had snapped off, her hair pooling over to the side of her neck and her hands were planted firmly on her bodyguard's chest. Their noses were a mere centimeter's apart with Sasuke's arm still wrapped around her waist while propping them both up with his other elbow.

The crowd around them broke in a loud roar at their little tumble, laughter and snorting and all. It had to be both the most thrilling and embarrasing thing to ever happen to her. All the while Sasuke met her terrified gaze with hazy, mischevious eyes.

Maybe she hadn't twisted her ankle after all.

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