Let Your Heart Win

Chapter 5

DISCLAIMER: ASHTEABEAR DOES NOT OWN NARUTO.

HINATA

"Hinata?" I heard a male voice call my name. I looked to my right and saw Naruto in an orange jumpsuit, with a gym bag.

"Naruto?" I whispered in response.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked me, his eyebrows risen in genuine surprise.

'What are you doing out here?' It was a simple question that had a lot of substance. What am I, a junior in high school, a minor, a 16 year old, doing outside at a deserted bus stop at twelve thirty in the morning? The tone in his voice led me to believe that he knew that something was not quite right. I prepared myself for what was coming. I lowered my eyelids as I responded,

"I'm waiting on the bus."

"The bus? You're not going home?" he asked. I shook my head. "Where are you going?" He sat down next to me, sitting his gym bag on his lap.

Why Naruto? Why must you ask these questions that I have to cautiously answer? I must keep my guard up, and remain in my Hyuuga calm. It's probably one of the things that I inherited from my family that's actually useful. It's a way to keep myself from standing out. If I keep to myself, and my demeanor is neutral, then others may not suspect that I am troubled.

"Come on. I'll take you home." He said while standing up, holding out his arm. He must've taken my silence for an answer. I shook my head again. He lips dropped into a frown, and he plopped back onto the bench. "Well, you can't just sit out here!" he exclaimed.

"I'll be fine. I promise." I told him, I forced myself to show a little smile. As if my false assuredness would appease him. He heaved a sigh.

"Hinata." He said sternly. My fingers flinched slightly in surprise. I've never heard Naruto say anything, especially not my name, so seriously. "Why aren't you going home?" He asked again.

I frowned.

It seems as though Naruto won't settle for lame excuses.

"I have a place to go."

"Where? I'll go with you." He pried.

"It's… almost one in the morning." I tried.

"My point exactly." He replied.

"You're not tired?"

"Hinata! You can sit out here and play these games with me all night. But I'm telling you right now that I am not leaving you alone until I know that you are safe." He said finally.

I looked at him again, his posture was so rigid, and his eyes stared straight ahead of him across the street. He didn't look at me at all. Was he upset? My chest began to get heavy. Why are we having this conversation? Why did it have to be now? Why with Naruto?

I felt my mask slipping away as I brought my knees up to my chest and curled up into a ball.

"I just can't tell you Naruto. I just can't." I said finally. I don't know why I was acting this way. I guess I've never had to evade anyone before though. I've never had anyone to actually come up to me and ask me questions, and pry for an answer. Usually the Hyuuga calm worked enough so that I could keep everyone at a distance.

Naruto was quiet for a moment, as if he was pondering his thoughts. Then, after a while he finally spoke.

"Can you tell me why you're not going home at least?"

"I can't." He dropped his head in response. "I can't go home. I mean…I'm locked out."

He raised his head again and looked at me.

"You lost your keys?"

I slowly shook my head as I was deciding whether I should continue…or would I be saying too much? I turned to look at him again, and when I did, I immediately regretted it. Naruto was still looking at me.

Naruto's eyes… they were the most gorgeous things that I have ever laid sight upon. They weren't just any old shade of blue. Cerulean just didn't quite capture the color I saw. His eyes… they contained depths untold and mischief and wonder. Naruto's eyes, I looked at my reflection in them and I let out a small sigh. I just adored them…

He placed his hand on mine that was resting on the bench. A sudden wave of realization hit me as I noticed how close we were actually sitting.

"You can trust me, Hinata." My eyes slightly widened. "Don't you know that you can tell me what's going on with you? I promise I will keep everything between us." I dropped my head down to look at our hands. He was slowly creeping in, and I knew it was going to happen.

"My father…" I let out a shaky sigh and continued, "-he kicked me out. He had the locks changed." I closed my eyes and I felt the sting of impending tears forming beneath my eyelids. Why was I about to cry? I've been through this many times before, it's nothing different. I guess it was just the fact that I actually said it out loud and I heard it for myself. It made it sound even more real.

I felt Naruto's hand tense up on top of mine. I lifted my head to see what his reaction was…I instantly regretted it. He was still looking at me with those eyes. But…his eyes contained a slightly different emotion this time. I stared at them for a while, trying to place my finger on which one.

Then, I felt him shift and wrap his arms around me, pulling me closer. And that's when I realized what emotion it was… It was empathy. Like a raging river crashing over a dam, my tears burst from my eyes and I began to bitterly weep on his orange polyester jacket. And in response, I felt him embrace me even tighter.

How is it that a person I've only known for a few months would be the first one to show me any type of affection within my whole life, aside from my late mother? Why am I behaving in such a way? Why with Naruto?

"I'm sorry…" I managed to sob out. "I… didn't mean for you to see me like this." I mumbled into his shoulder. I was trying to regain at least some of my composure.

"It's fine Hinata." He said softly. "I just wish you could tell me what is going on with you. " I looked up at him. He was still holding me…I sighed.

"I don't want to hide it from you." I admitted. "And I don't want to lie to you…I can't lie to you." I was really against being dishonest, that is a big reason why I try to keep myself neutral. "- but I can't tell you the whole truth… not just yet. Not right here…not right now." I told him.

"But later…?" He mumbled distractedly, picking up strands of my hair and gliding it through his hand.

"…Okay." I agreed, and I just laid into the crook of his neck while he tended to his odd fascination with my hair.

"Hey, Hinata, ready to go?" Naruto asked the next morning.

After we left the bus stop, after who knows how long, we ended up at Sakura's door step. Her family was kind enough to let me stay. Naruto would've let me stay over with him, but he thought I'd be more comfortable with the Haruno's, considering only females were currently staying there.

However, it was decided that we would go speak to Neji about my situation the next day, which is where we were heading.

"How'd you sleep?" He asked me as we were walking down the sidewalk. It was still early in the morning, so the ice hadn't quite melted off the sidewalk yet. I looked up at the gray sky, misted over with clouds.

"Honestly, I didn't sleep at all." I told him.

"Heh, me either, Hinata. I spent all night thinking about today." He confessed. "I'm excited." He finished.

"Well, that makes one of us." I mumbled kicking a pebble on the sidewalk. He grabbed my hand, and I slightly shuddered from his touch.

"Everything's going to be okay, Hinata." He tried to reassure me. Needless to say, it did calm my nerves a little. I just didn't want to face my cousin. The last time I saw him before we moved here he had this harsh grudge against me. I still don't even know what for. He would always glare angrily at me when I tried to have friendly conversation with him. Ever since we came here, I've tried to steer clear of him. I only spoke to him when necessary, and only the bare minimum amount of conversation. Let's just say we don't exactly have the best relationship.

I inwardly groaned as different scenarios played in my head.

Scenario 1:

"Hey, Neji. We just came here to see what we should do concerning Hinata's situation." Naruto asked, with a large grin on his face.

"I'm busy." Neji slammed the door.

Scenario 2:

"Hey, Neji. We just came here to see what we should do concerning Hinata's situation." Nauto asked, with a large grin on his face.

"Go away." Neji slammed the door.

Scenario 3:

"Hey, Neji. We just came here to see what we should do concerning Hinata's situation." Naruto asked with a large grin on his face.

"Who the hell is Hinata?" Neji slammed the door.

Ughh, I think I feared the last one the most…

"Hinata, this is the place, right?" Naruto asked, bringing me out of my reverie.

"Hm? Oh-Uh…Yes." I replied. We were standing at the end of the driveway. Yeah, I'd recognize this old dark gray, shingled house from a mile away. With the dead, black trees that casually leaned against the roof. This was definitely the creepiness of a Hyuuga household. If that didn't give it away, the Hyuuga crest on the mailbox surely did.

However, the light blanket of snow in the yard and on the roof did balance out some of its eeriness, but that was only slightly.

I drew in a shaky breath as we walked up the porch steps and Naruto reached out for the doorbell. I clung to his other arm for support. He chuckled slightly after ringing the bell.

"It's alright, Hinata."

I closed my eyes tightly as I heard movement on the other side of the door. Finally the turn of the doorknob drifted to my ears and Naruto's voice soon followed after.

"Hey, Neji. Sorry to bother you so early. We just came here to see what we should do concerning Hinata's condition."

"Hinata's condition? What condition?" I heard Neji's deep voice demand. I opened my eyes in shock. Neji was actually concerned?

"Well, Hinata…she's been locked out of her house." Naruto continued.

"What?" He replied, disbelievingly. He looked over to me, "You've been locked out?" He asked again, maybe he thought he heard wrong.

I was just astonished that he even spoke a full sentence to me. All I could manage was a nod.

I heard him groan and mutter under his breath in anger, not to anyone in particular. He opened the door wider and said, "Come in."

Naruto and I sat at Neji's dining table while Neji came over and sat down some tea in front of us. I didn't feel as nervous as I did before, this conversation would go smoothly.

"So, what's going on with you, Hinata?" I heard Naruto ask.

"Wait, she didn't even tell you?" Neji responded, sounding even more disbelieving.

Maybe I spoke too soon about this going smoothly.

"Well, I found her in such an emotionally fragile state. I didn't wanna push her too much." Naruto shrugged. "She didn't tell me the whole story."

I felt two pairs of eyes fall on me. I concentrated on my rippled reflection in my tea.

"Hinata?" I heard Naruto prod and I sighed. I bit my lip, looking up at Neji. Hopefully he would understand my glances of distress.

"You're going to have to tell him, Hinata. Don't put his life in danger." Neji responded reading me easily. "It's his choice."

"Okay, what am I missing here?" Naruto joked. I sadly smiled at him.

"I- I wanted to put off telling you this as long as I could." I admitted. "I fear what your reaction to this will be." Naruto's whole demeanor switched to serious.

"What is it, Hinata?" He placed his hand on top of mine. I saw Neji quirk an eyebrow from the corner of my eye, but he said nothing.

"Well, have you ever heard of the Black Market?" I decided to start off asking; maybe I wouldn't have to explain as much.

"Uh…the who, now?" He responded.

"The Black Market." I repeated. "It's an underground market that sells stolen goods for cheap." I explained.

"Oh…I think I've heard of that." He straightened up in his chair. "I thought that was just an urban legend." He replied. I shook my head.

"Oh no, it's very real." I told him. "And I know firsthand because the Hyuuga family is behind the whole operation." I continued.

"Wait," Naruto suddenly remarked, "You mean to tell me that your family is behind a large scale, illegal operation." I nodded.

"Our grandfather," I gestured to Neji, "Our fathers' father, came up with the whole thing, down to the very last detail." I explained, "He set up two separate branches for operation. That way, if one branch for whatever reason, has to shut down, the other one will still be up and running." I tried to make this as straight to the point as I could, I didn't want to even think about the truth behind my family. I let out a breath and continued.

"A few months ago, one of these branches shut down. My uncle, Neji's father, Hizashi was the head over that branch." I frowned as sad memories came flowing back into my mind. "He was targeted by some of the 'employees' of the 'entry level jobs'. These are the people who actually steal all the stolen items, the Akatsuki. They send these items to the markets owned by the Hyuuga family, under an alias. So, no one knows the Hyuuga family is associated to The Black Market in anyway.

After a while, greed had entered Hizashi's heart and he began to hold back a percentage of the profits that actually belonged to the Akatsuki, and after a while they noticed what was happening. " I stopped, as I felt a sob rising in my throat.

"So…the Akatsuki came in the night and struck Hizashi to death." I whispered. I looked over at Neji, he didn't at all affected by the mention or his father's murder. I felt Naruto's hand tense on top of mine.

"Did anybody call the police!" He growled. I returned my gaze over to him and sighed.

"It's complicated, Naruto. Our family is involved in one of the top illegal organizations that has ever existed. If the Hyuuga's got the police involved, The Black Market is sure to be uncovered, and our family will be brought to shame." Naruto balled up his fists in his lap.

"Okay, so what does this have to do with you being locked out of the house?" he asked, trying to remain calm. I looked down at my tea as I continued with my story.

"My father, Hiashi, is the current head over the branch that was located in the Sound Village-"

"The team we just played against last night!" Naruto realized. I nodded my head.

"Right," I confirmed, "The Black Market's central location is in the Sound Village. That's where the Akatsuki's hideout is, the selling side of the business is located here, in the Leaf Village. My father, sister, and I moved here after the news of my uncle's death. At first, I thought we were moving here for a fresh start, to live closer to our relatives, and to vanquish The Black Market.

I was so very wrong. I realized the first day of school, the day my father told me to come straight home to prepare the house for a special guest, the real reason we moved here, which was to train the heir of the Market Branch."

"Who's that?" Naruto asked.

"Me." Neji sud denly answered.

"What! Neji! But, he's still in High School!" I shrugged my shoulders.

"We're here until Neji graduates."

"Which is this year…" Naruto finally pieced together. I nodded and continued.

"So, I was grounded because I forgot, and I realized the special guest was Neji when you said you knew him."

"You didn't know Neji went to our school?" I shook my head.

"I didn't know where any other Hyuuga lived outside of Sound Village. I assume it's a safety precaution that only the head of the branch knows. I can't really say for sure." I sighed.

In an attempt to end this long story I continued, "My father attended the game against the Sound Village with my sister. I asked my father if I could go along with them, and he said it was fine. But…they left without me. I really wanted to see you play, Naruto, and you too Neji, of course. And I would see all my old classmates. So, I walked."

"Hinata, I wasn't serious when I said you should sneak out." Naruto half joked.

"You told her to sneak out?" Neji asked accusingly. I interrupted before Neji could interrogate Naruto even further.

"I didn't technically sneak out since he gave me permission to go." I reminded. "However, when I returned home from the game, there was a note left for me on the door."

"What did it say?" Naruto asked.

"It read: 'Hinata, you've disobeyed my orders to leave without permission. I told you that you could attend the game with Hanabi and I, and not unattended. We left because you were unprepared. You are hereby banished from the house until further notice.' "

"Your dad's an ass." Naruto responded. I looked at him, knowing in my heart that the statement was true.

"This is all confidential, Naruto." Neji suddenly interrupted. "We only decided to tell you this because you were growing closer to Hinata and as a warning of what you were getting into." Naruto leaned back in his chair.

"So what? What if I do let out this giant secret?" Naruto said, mockingly. I frowned.

"We told you what happened to my father." Neji replied. "I'm trying to find a way to stop this whole thing from even existing. But until then, I need you to keep watch over Hinata. I'll keep tabs on what's going on inside."

I didn't even know Neji was against this organization. Well, I guess he would be since it killed his father.

"What can I do to help, Neji?" I asked. He turned his attention to me, surprised.

"Well, for now, I need you to get back on your feet and back in good graces with your father." He told me, "I'd give you money from the company, but I don't want you to handle dirty money. Most of it is going to Hiashi, anyway. He's only giving me the bare minimum to pay for utilities…I can get you a job though."

"Really, where?" I asked. If I could show my father that I can function on my own, he may be more pleased with me.

"Tenten's family owns a convenience store not too far from school. I can call her and get you a job. She owes me a favor anyway."

I don't know what came over me, but I felt the urge to go over to Neji and hug him.

"Thanks, Neji. I can't tell you how much this means." He awkwardly patted me on the back.

"Ahem, uhm it's no problem." Then he looked over to Naruto. "I can't have her at this house. It would get back to Hiashi that his heiress is staying here."

"Oh, she's been staying at Sakura's place." Neji nodded approvingly.

"Good. So, far you've have proved yourself capable." He said, "I wanted to see if you would say she was staying with you." Neji said with such a large implication. Naruto raised his hands in defense.

"Oh, no no no. I respect Hinata too much for that."

My heart leaped in my chest at the implication. Naruto respected me? It made me a bit more hopeful that I could earn the same respect from my father…

The following Monday, Naruto and I were sitting in the cafeteria for breakfast.

That weekend, we went to see Tenten about my job. She told me I would start working afterschool today. I was so grateful for all the support I was getting, from Naruto, especially. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have a place to stay, I wouldn't have even stepped on Neji's property, and I probably wouldn't be anywhere near earning my father's respect…

I looked up and noticed Ino with her head down at the next table.

"I wonder what's wrong with her." I said under my breath, I forgot Naruto was sitting next to me.

"Probably just broke a nail or some junk." I heard him say. I shook my head at him; he could be so un-empathetic at times, as well.

Next, I noticed Shikamaru come and sit down by her with his mini tray. She looked up at him, red in the face, most likely from crying, and buried her face in his chest.

"He must be miserable…" I said to myself, again. I thought about that morning when he came to drive Sakura and me to school. The first thing he even mentioned was Ino and how he's worried that her crush on Sasuke was unhealthy.

"I would be miserable if I had to listen to Ino complain all day too!" Naruto replied, shrugging his shoulders. I sighed.

"…Uhm, No…Naruto…" I barely managed to get out.

"That's the only thing I can think of." He said as his eyes closed to slits. I took a deep breath, as I prepared myself for the next sentence. Looking over at their table again, I replied slowly,

"He's not miserable because of that…" I watched Shikamaru offer Ino his only muffin. Then my gaze wandered back over to Naruto, and I confidently added, "He loves her."

"WHAT?"

I nodded silently.

"Hinata, please, don't make such senile jokes." I raised my eyebrow at him and returned to my breakfast.

"Naruto…I'm not the best at making jokes, but I know what the heart sounds like when it speaks." I told him and bit into my own muffin.

"Uh…What now?" Naruto replied, confused. I just laughed, lightly.

"Eat your breakfast, Naruto." I said and smiled at him.

Naruto and I were nearly inseparable.

He was with me practically ever since he found me at the bus stop. He walked with me to class, he walked me to lunch, and he walked me to work. It was great, I must say. I honestly thought after he learned about my family that he would start avoiding me…

"Alright, Hinata. I'll be back here at 10 when the store closes. Don't leave until I come, okay?" Naruto told me. I nodded and smiled. He gave me a quick embrace before leaving. I could feel my face heating up and touched my cheek, lightly.

"Aw, how cute."

"Wh-what?" I stammered and turned around to direction where I heard the voice. I didn't realize anyone was watching. It was Tenten, she laughed.

"Are you and Uzumaki dating?" she asked, leaning against the checkout counter.

Dating? My face flushed even more.

"Uh-uh no…we're just friends." I replied as clearly as I could muster. She nodded and walked over to me, I reflexively took a step back.

"Well, you like him right?" she asked, plainly. How could she ask so nonchalantly? I panicked in my head. Do I like him? I mean, of course I've thought about it. I wasn't even sure myself. I think I do…

"I g-guess…" I stuttered and looked down at my shoes. Ugh, this habit is so annoying. I'll never get my father to even look in my direction at this rate.

I forced myself to look at Tenten, square in the eye. She had a confident and mature air about her, maybe if I hung around her more, some of it will rub off on me.

"Tenten?" I said quietly.

"Hm?"

"What if I did…like him?" I asked. What would she think about it? I watched her take in a deep breath. I almost regretted asking.

"Oh, my gosh! I think you guys would look so cute! My younger buddy and cute, innocent, Hinata!" She rambled on a bit more about how our children would have our cute features, and how she would be called "Aunt T", and just how cute and adorable we would be…

"But-"she said, finally.

"But?"

"Naruto's a football player…" she added.

"And…?" I wasn't getting what she was trying to say. She let out a breath.

"My dear Hinata. I know it's kinda cliché to talk about cliques and stuff, but somehow they really exist and matter at our school."

Seriously?

"The cheerleaders and fan girls here take their titles ultra-seriously. If you're not in either one of these groups, they expect you to not even look at a football player." She paused and looked at me, "No one is giving you any trouble about hanging around him, are they?" I shook my head no. "Good," she said, "And Naruto's not even dumb enough to give a fan girl the time of day! So, other than that, I think you two would check out as an awesome pair." She winked and turned around to get back to work.

I walked to the back room to clock in.

Naruto and I…a couple?

I shook my head.

There's no use even pondering the thought. It's not like he looks at me the same way. We're just friends, that's all.

I sighed.

That's all…

Tuesday

The next day, Shikamaru was driving Sakura and me to school once again.

I walked to my locker and a folded piece of paper fell out, I picked it up off the ground.

"To: Naruto", It read. I looked around for him. He's usually here before me... I stared at the paper in folded in my palm. I wonder who it's from…

I shook my head.

No, this is a personal message to Naruto…

But still…

Well, it is technically, partially my property too, since it's my locker and all, right?

I looked around again, and took a deep breath.

I began to unfold the note…

"Good morning, Hinata."

"AHH!" I yelped and dropped the paper again. It was Naruto, just my luck.

"Hey, what's that?" He asked, pointing to the note. I quickly grabbed it and passed it to him.

"Someone left this for you." I said in one breath.

"For me?" He said with a questioning eyebrow rose. He unfolded the paper and scanned it. Then, he chuckled.

"What…What's so funny?" I found the nerve to ask, slightly peering over his shoulder.

"Hm? Oh, it's an inside joke, Hinata. You wouldn't get it." He said and folded the paper back up.

"Oh…" I muttered.

The day went on as usual.

Naruto walked with me everywhere, as usual.

However, something just…wasn't right. Something was off, and I couldn't place my finger on what exactly…

The first time I noticed was when we were walking to the library for lunch. I decided that I would resume my participation in the Debate Club and we were meeting Sakura and Sasuke there for research.

As we were walking, this random girl, whom I've never even seen before, comes up to Naruto and starts talking to him like they've known each other since for ever. I kind of just stood there awkwardly while they talked…

"Who was that?" I asked when she left.

"Hm? Oh, that was just Mayuri." He said. I just shrugged it off.

The next time I noticed was at gym.

Usually, when we have gym, Naruto and I always hang out together. Today though, he was playing basketball with the guys, and a lot of people crowded around to watch.

Not that I think this is bad or anything, it's just… since when did Naruto get so many friends?

I didn't have work today after school, so I helped the debate club with the float for the homecoming parade. Sakura and I were painting the paper-maché.

"Do you…Do you think Naruto's been acting…strange?" I asked her.

"Strange like how?" She replied.

"I don't know…" I said, "Has he always been so popular?"

"Popular?" She repeated, and then laughed, "Naruto?" I shrugged.

"I just don't want him to start avoiding me or anything…" I admitted. Her green eyes found their way over to my lavender ones.

"Hinata…" She said quietly, "If Naruto starts avoiding you then don't waste your time worrying about it."

"Wh-what?" I stuttered.

"What I'm saying is if he starts avoiding you, then it's his loss." Her eyebrows formed a crease in her forehead. It seemed like I touched a personal area. Then, suddenly she was back to normal. "Naruto's not like that though, so I wouldn't worry." She smiled and turned back to painting.

Yeah, she's right… What do I have to worry about?

Wednesday

The next day after lunch,

I pushed open the wooden doors of the library with my back while carrying my tray. I wonder what happened to Naruto…he's usually always on time when meeting with me.

"Wondering what happened to Naruto?" I heard a female voice say. I turned to the left, towards the cafeteria, and saw Ino there with Ami, smug expressions on their faces. I kept my expression neutral as I responded,

"Oh, yes. I've been waiting on him. Have you seen him, by chance?" I blinked as they began to laugh, cackling as witches would.

"Ohh boy…you're hilarious." Ino said as she began to settle down, "Are you really this dense?"

Dense? I repeated in my mind.

"Did you ever for once think that he was avoiding you? Huh?" she walked closer to me and Ami leaned against the wall. I reflexively took a step back and she knocked my tray to the floor.

I looked down and bitterly bit my lip trying to hold down my fury. I could not afford a referral in my current condition with my father.

I felt her fingers raise my chin to force me to meet her cold, icy blue glare.

"Listen you whore," she began in a low voice, an angry tear slid down my cheek, "your plan to win over all the football players is failing miserably."

What?

"Leave them to the cheerleaders and ease off with your lame debate club ass." She finished and pushed me backwards.

I closed my eyes waiting for the floor's impact, but instead I fell into someone's chest with a thud.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" I heard a familiar voice bark out. I looked up and saw the chiseled jaw of Naruto and his unmistakable blonde hair.

"Naruto! I-uh…" Ino stuttered before she ran off with Ami into the cafeteria.

"Crazy females…" I heard him mutter before turning his attention towards me, "You okay, Hinata?" he asked, peering down at me with those eyes.

I should be mad…at him and Ino. But, when he brushed back my bangs, I couldn't help but produce a small grin.

"I'm fine." I told him. He returned my smile and all my anger evaporated.

"Come on, let's get this stuff up."

After school, I walked with Naruto to his apartment to get ready for work and to kill a little time before I had to be there. Football practice was cancelled this week, so he didn't have to rush to get back to school. As we walked up the steps to his door, I heard a lot of loud music and yelling coming from the floor above us.

"Do you ever get any sleep with all this noise going on?" I asked him while he unlocked his door.

"Eh, it's fine. I always hear parties going on upstairs. You kind of grow immune to it after a while, so it's no big deal." He shrugged and we walked through his doorway.

I started shrugging my coat off while he went over to the thermostat to turn the heat on.

"Well, maybe you could throw your own party…for your birthday…or something." I suggested. His blue eyes flickered over to me.

"Hm? Actually, my birthday was on Monday."

"Wh-what?" I stammered. Oh no. I felt horrible. I didn't even wish him a happy birthday…he chuckled.

"It's no big deal, it's just my birthday. I actually had forgotten until just now." I frowned at his thoughtful face. How could he merely shrug at the passing of his birthday?

I almost felt as if I was disturbing an intimate moment.

I returned to Sakura's house after work and Sasuke was still over. They were sitting at the dining room table doing homework and I decided to join them…

It seemed like an ordinary study group, although, if you were as observant as I, you would notice the silent conversation in their eyes, dancing back and forth across the table. If you weren't careful, you'd miss the slight lingering touch of their hands as they passed each other supplies.

The way Sakura always twisted her rosy strands around her fingertips conveyed how flustered she was whenever Sasuke glanced in her direction.

However, Sasuke…he seemed to be at war with himself.

Did he keep looking away because he was shy? Or was it because he was trying to fight his obvious attraction?

Whatever it was, I felt like I was intruding.

"I'm…going to sleep now, okay? Goodnight."

I was lying on the pink couch in Sakura's room when I heard the door open. I looked up from the book I was reading and watched her walk over to sit on the edge of her bed. I continued reading my book for a couple of seconds before I heard her speak.

"Hinata…"

"Yes?" I asked, looking up from my book, once again.

"I think I'm falling for this guy…" she replied slowly.

I can't say that I didn't see this one coming.

"Oh…really?" I smiled at her, and closed my book.

She nodded and laid back on her pillows, looking up at the ceiling.

"Yeah…he's awesome. We talk all the time, we have so much in common, he's so handsome, so thoughtful, very polite…helpful."

"He sounds nice." I supplied.

"Yeah, but…"

"But?"

"But...my friend likes him too…and besides that, I'm not sure if he only views me as a friend or not."

"Are you kidding me…?" I said under my breath.

"What's that, Hinata?" She asked and sat up.

"I think you should ask him, that's the only way you'll know for sure." I told her.

She nodded.

"But, what about the friend who likes him?" she asked.

"If you really feel like you're in love with this guy, she should understand. No friendship should be ruined that easily over a guy. You should tell your friends how you feel, both him and her." I replied, surprisingly clearly.

"Easier said than done." She said and laughed.

"You can do it." I told her.

"Thanks, Hinata." She smiled, "Oh, by the way, I got Sasuke to get us the keys."

I inwardly celebrated.

"Thank you, Sakura."

The next day after lunch,

"Naruto, thanks for spending lunch with us." The two girls giggled. My stomach filled with dread at this implication. Is this where Naruto has been spending his lunch the past two days? I frowned as I looked up at his flustered grin he always made.

"It was no problem, ladies." He replied. They giggled again and started idle chit-chat with him as he folded his hands behind his head in aloofness.

It was no problem, I echoed in my head. Did you forget about our meeting completely, Naruto?

They began to slowly stroll away as I struggled to balance my books while keeping up. It was when I dropped them with a loud thud that they decided to notice my presence. All three of them turned around in unison. Two, annoyed glares and one surprised, blue eyed expression.

"Oh, Hinata!" he'd exclaimed and hurriedly helped me to retrieve the tattered texts, "You okay? Sorry, I didn't see you there." He added. I frowned and thought dejectedly, you didn't even see me?

I nodded as if everything was fine and stood up as he passed me back my books.

"I'll see you later, okay?" he said before turning and walking away with the two girls.

I watched their retreating forms walk out of the building with a tight chest and stinging eyes.

Where are you going…Naruto?

A/N: …I have no more excuses for you lol. I keep changing the ending and the plot and…ugh I just needed to reorganize everything. So, hopefully I will be installing more swiftly now, if not…just know I haven't given up! Lol. Anyways, here's the next installment.

Next time on L.Y.H.W. :D

"Well, I do have one brother…" I told her, staring at the milkshake in front of me.

"Really? You never talk about him." I heard her say.

I placed my hand on my chin as I looked out the window.

I watched the people walk by on the sidewalk and let air escape my nostrils.

"What's there to talk about? I haven't seen him in years." I replied softly.