NOTE: I just loved the idea of Sasuke having a crush on Hinata as a child, if the Massacre hadn't taken place. My baby boy deserved a normal childhood just as much as everyone and I felt Hinata would have been the perfect choice. *blushes*

anyways this is is the final chapter and it is dedicated to all you readers and reviewers but I must say my favorite review was from HinaSasuChoAsu. the review was touching, dear, and believe me, I know how you feel. I hope your parents would see how great a person you are and stop comparing you to your sister. you're special in your own way.

Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine because Hinata and Sasuke would have ended up together. *grumbles* Kishimoto should know how to meld his characters and give them depth and better development.

enough blab, enjoy! and feel free to drop a review and tell me what you think about this chap :D

CHAPTER TWO: Part two

"Teme!" Naruto yelled from across the village, running up to Sasuke. He threw an arm around his friend's shoulders and grinned mischievously. "So, are you gonna do it?" he asked. Sasuke glared before shaking off his arm. "That's none of your business, idiot."

Naruto pouted and kept in stride with Sasuke. "Come on, man, you've been waiting for years to do this!"

An eyebrow twitched. Sasuke said through clenched teeth, "Years?" Naruto nodded and clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the cloudless, blue sky. "Well, yeah…didn't you like her since we were, like, in the Academy?" Sasuke felt his face grew warm; he hoped he wasn't blushing or that Naruto would be very oblivious to it like he was with a lot of things.

But he was curious as to how his best friend got ahold of this information. It was top secret.

"Tch. Who told you that?"

"Itachi."

His temple throbbed. He should have known, that traitor!

"That bastard, I'm going to kill him," Sasuke mumbled, turning away from Naruto and going to the direction of the Uchiha compound, his sharingan activated. Naruto scratched his head, a sweat drop appearing on his forehead. "Crap."

"NIISAN!" Sasuke slid open the door of his brother's house, the infamous Uchiha glare present on his face. Kiyoshi, his five-year-old nephew, looked up from his spot on the tatami. His dark eyes lit up and he dropped his kunai toy and ran up to his beloved uncle, arms raised. "Sasuke-ojiisan!" he cried, a huge smile on his face.

And Sasuke went putty.

He dropped to his knee and ruffled Kiyoshi's brown hair. He smiled sweetly, "I'll take care of you later, Kiyoshi. But for now, I have business with your father."

Itachi walked out of the kitchen and was surprised at his brother's appearance.

"Sasuke?"

"You bastard! You—you told Naruto about my—you know—with Hinata when we were in the Academy?!" Sasuke accused exasperatedly. Kiyoshi looked between his father and uncle, curious as to what was causing his uncle distress.

Itachi raised both his eyebrows before realization crossed his features. He smirked and picked up his son. "No harm was done, otōto, he's your best friend, practically brother. I didn't see anything wrong with it," Itachi shrugged, rearranging Kiyoshi on his shoulders. Sasuke sneered before plopping on the couch.

"No harm done?! You do realize the idiot won't let me live this down, right?"

Itachi rolled his eyes. "Stop being so dramatic. Are you suddenly embarrassed of your feelings for Hinata?" Sasuke's eyes widened and he shook his head. "No, of course not! It's just…I don't like people knowing I had a thing for her…"

"Sasuke, what are you afraid of? Appearing weak? Tainted pride? Tarnished cold reputation? Having affection and love for someone doesn't make anyone weak. In fact, it makes a person stronger. Trust me, I know," Itachi interrupted, a soft smile on his face.

Sasuke pouted, "Shut up, niisan. I—I guess you're right. There's nothing wrong with letting anyone know. It just irritates me that people make a big deal about it." Itachi shrugged. "We're Uchiha. Everyone makes a big deal about everything we do."

Sasuke nodded agreeing.

"So, are you finally going to ask her?"

Sasuke rubbed the nape of his neck.

Itachi chuckled. "Ne, you're blushing."

"Shut up, niisan!"

Hinata tucked a lock of indigo hair behind her ear, her pale amethyst eyes flying from one child to another as they piled out of the classroom. "Good bye, Hinata-sensei!" some of them chorused, waving fervidly at her as they rushed out.

A smile found its way on her lips. She loved her students and her job very much. When she retired from active service after her dear cousin's death in the war, the sixth Hokage offered her a teaching job at the Academy.

'I think this is the perfect job for you, Hinata-chan. It will help you…get your mind off things."

She knew he meant her niisan's death but she accepted anyway, knowing she did need the distraction. She cannot help but remember how much the war took from all of them. It took half the Uchiha, including their beloved patriarch, Fugaku-sama. Hinata heard that it was because Uchiha Madara also had a great vendetta against the clan he came from.

Hinata had reprimanded herself when she would feel bitter about all of it. She reminded herself that she wasn't the only one who had lost. In fact, a lot had lost more than she had. But sometimes, when she would sit in her apartment, lower half comfortably buried under the kotatsu and sipping a warm cup of shincha, she'd think of Neji.

Neji who had been warm and protective in the later years of their budding relationship. A brother that she never had.

It was during those hard times that she made a promise to herself. That she will help in the growth of the future generation of shinobi, because the war for peace is far from over. Evil will always lurk in the corners, it was up to the past generation to keep that from happening.

The indigo haired teacher sat down on her chair and riffled through the papers to be graded on her desk. She basked in the warmth and placid ambience the sun light gave, sweeping from the open windows.

When she finished, she stacked the papers neatly onto the desk and put on her lavender coat. She stretched her arms and closed the windows before leaving the classroom and the red building of the Academy.

Passing by the relics of the past, Hinata couldn't help but indulge in her inner childhood. Her lunar eyes looked across the playground and rested on a tree.

She smiled to herself and hesitated before letting her small hand rest on the small gatepost and gently pushing it open. She checked around for any left-over children before sheepishly walking towards her favorite spot as a little girl.

Hinata stood beneath its wearied bows and leaves and closed her eyes. She remembered crying here after a day's of hard training and harsh words, sleeping here when her father threw her in her sensei's care, training here when everyone was asleep and she needed to vent. She opened her eyes and smiled wistfully at the memories before sitting down on the grassy floor, tucking her long skirt underneath her thighs.

She rested her back on the rough bark and closed her eyes once again.

She stayed there for a few minutes until she felt a familiar, electric chakra.

There she was, sitting under that cursed tree and looking angelic; her long dark hair cascaded down her shoulders and back, her long lashes cast shadows across her rouge cheek bones, and her plump, rosette lips opened a little, making Sasuke want to ravish her completely.

Sasuke smirked because it looked so familiar only this time, more mature thoughts invaded his mind.

He hesitated before walking over, hands buried deep in his pockets. He once again pondered if this was the right time to ask her. He didn't even look prepared! He was still in his Konoha Police force uniform*! Damn it, maybe he should run home and wear something decent at least.

But before he could follow through with his plan, he was already standing right in front of her, his heart trying to outrun him once again. He cursed his ineptness when it came to her presence. Everyone knew him to be the stoic, jerk, walking block of ice but once Hinata steps in, he becomes a blubbering mess.

He hated it.

But at the same time, it did not surprise him.

Her power over him terrified him sometimes but he wouldn't have it any other way.

It just showed—

"Sasuke?" came a soft voice.

He blinked before gazing down at her.

Black met white.

"Hey," he smiled softly.

She adorably rubbed her eyes with the back of her fist and smiled back at him. "Ne, it's time to go home already?" Sasuke ran a hand through his dark locks before smirking. "It's past the time to go home, Hinata," he teased lightly, ignoring the tremor of his heart.

She giggled, her eyes taking in the dark sky with its river of blinking stars.

"Oh…I guess I got carried away."

Sasuke shook his head. He cannot believe the stuttering little girl grew up to become the graceful, strong, and confident woman he knew today. Yet she still managed to retain that gentle and kind nature despite the war and her loss. He wished he had been as strong. He remembered being at his lowest after his father's death. He had blamed Itachi and almost killed his beloved older brother.

It was a good thing his mother was there to talk sense into his pigheadedness.

Sasuke looked up at the stars and hoped his father was watching from above. He returned his eyes on the beauty before him. She stood up and looked back, confused. "Sasuke?"

He smiled softly, the smile he gave her only. Gently, he took her chin in his hand.

"Marry me?"

He remembered Hinata and him coming together after a night of wanting to be away from his family and teammates for a while. He came across her in the meadows, lying on the tall grass, watching the colossal moon. He didn't know why she was there but wanting to feel the solitude, he lay down beside her.

And they just talked.

They talked about the war, he did not open up because he just couldn't, but was surprised when Hinata poured out everything, tears glistening in her beautiful, lavender eyes. When she finally told him of Neji's death and her blaming herself for his demise, Sasuke decided to share his part.

After that night, they met regularly and Sasuke felt comfortable and at home with her. Mikoto, who still felt empty after her husband's death, meddled into her sons' affair from time to time, urging Sasuke to marry the girl already! I'm not getting any younger and I want more grandbabies!

Sasuke, of course, hadn't thought of marriage. He felt something for her but the thought of being tied down did not sit well with him. He wanted to make the Konoha Police force stronger and determined to become the captain now that Itachi had no plan on integrating himself into the force.

Hinata supported his dreams and was patient with him.

What made him finally realize she was the one was probably in their seventh date. This time, they had been talking about the past instead of the present. Hinata tentatively shared about her old insecurities and after seeing how much it burdened her, he held her and told her his. They realized that they had similar upbringings and childhood fears.

Sasuke mentioned his feeling of inferiority from his brother but soon felt abashed about showing too much emotion. But she cradled his face in her hands and said, "Sasuke, it's your abilities that make you. Not Itachi's. You're as much a great fighter and a genius, but you're differences is what makes you you, both weaknesses and strength. I am more than certain Itachi has his own weaknesses. Everyone does. I realized I couldn't follow the way of the Hyūga because that was not who I am. I can never be someone I'm not. You were never in your brother's shadow…you just chose to think that way."

It was the first and definitely not the last time he made love to her.

She gasped when he produced the ring out of his pocket.

"I know it isn't much but I managed to save from both missions and my work at the force—

She pushed herself up and captured his lips in a saccharine kiss. She was truly grateful to have Sasuke in her life. Never in her life would she had ever thought of being in love with the little boy who asked her to be his years ago.

But that boy had grown up to become an honorable man.

And she regrets nothing. He was more than what anyone thought of him. He was more than his looks and his abilities. His obvious love for his father, mother, brother, nephew, and clan was what drew her in because she understood one's great love and sacrifices for a whole clan. Her cousin and uncle were great examples of that; and she wanted to stand by his side once he accepted the position as a police force, she wanted to be by his side when he had failures, when he had accomplishments.

Her clan would disapprove but she could care less.

This time, she wanted to focus on her happiness. Something she hadn't done in years.

Until a certain Uchiha came into her life.

"Yes."

NOTE: the police force uniform looks hella good on sasuke. damn.

I was losing inspiration and wanted to delete ALL of my stories but I wanted to start anew. I have a modern day SasuHina fic in mind but I'm hesitating to post chapter One. Ugh i have so much story ideas in my laptop. folder of documents and documents of unfinished works. I want to keep writing but I just dont know how to continue. :(