Shades of Cool

Chapter 29 - Brother's That Died Smiling

Short Description: Shinra questions his sensei his role in the Uchiha household. Both Hinata and Sasuke wake in uncomfortable positions and think of their relationship as arranged husband and wife.

Hinata's skin flushed scarlet, her arms and neck prickled with goosebumps as she felt cold fingertips trail up the outer side of her thighs. Her eyelids flickered close and her lips parted to let out a shaky breath. "S-Sasuke-kun..." Hinata murmured between breaths.

Sasuke hummed, his eyes looking towards the Hyuga. Tilting his head, her let his hand grip her thigh, liking the yelp that came after he done so.

Sasuke lowered his head towards the heiress, his lips finding her own. He only allowed his lips to stay on for mere second, but for Hinata it felt much longer. It was as though she was caught in a genjutsu, unable to move or think for herself. Hinata groaned lowly, a deep groan that she didn't know she could possibly do. She was sure her flesh was burning under Sasuke's light kisses to her neck.

"You smell..." Sasuke placed a deep kiss onto her neck, the sweet spot he knew that would cause Hinata to squirm just the way he liked. "...divine." She had just bathed with her usual soap, Lavender and Jasmine. Said herbs that she planted herself and had picked a few days prior today. Sasuke never enjoyed flowery smells. Sakura would drench herself with flowery smells constantly that was unpleasant to the nose, however the heavenly smell of lavender had Sasuke swoon, even if he didn't voice it aloud. Maybe it was because he knew that Lavender was Hinata's signature scent and whenever he got a in contact of it, it reminded him of his soon to be wife.

Hinata allowed Sasuke's hips to push into her, signaling for her to open her legs. As Sasuke pressed deeper kisses into her collarbone, his hand trailed upwards towards her hips. He squeezed said hips, pushing himself towards her. It was as if he was not close enough already. He sat between her legs, his clothed member twitching inside his underwear and pants when he felt heat radiate from between Hinata's legs.

Hinata let her hands grip Sasuke's shoulder. She couldn't recall when he took off his shirt, but as her fingertips gripped his flesh, she felt Sasuke's own skin begin to warm above her. Hinata's body seemed to take control of itself, wrapping her slender around Sasuke and bringing him closer to her.

"I want you." Sasuke deadpanned. There was no point in sugarcoating. He already sat above her, grinding against her. He was sure she could feel how excited he was at the moment, as well.

Hinata bit her bottom lip, her eyes going wide at Sasuke's blunt words. She blinked a few times, watching Sasuke's head lift to watch her own reaction.

"I want you." Sasuke repeated. "If you're willing." he added quietly. His needs could wait if Hinata truly wasn't ready.

Hinata nodded. She let her head raise to gently place her lips on Sasuke's.

Sasuke hummed once more. "I-" Hinata let her lips fall onto Sasuke's once more, halting his response. "I need to hear..." Sasuke kissed between each word. "I need to hear you say it." Sasuke finally let himself be pulled away from whatever sorcery Hinata placed upon him. He found with each kiss, he was falling more and more into her, finding it more difficult to break himself away.

Hinata bit her lips. "I-I want you." Hinata stuttered. "I want you, Sasuke-kun."

Hinata yelped loudly, throwing her hands to her head. Beads of sweat flushed down from her forehead to her temples, soaking her bangs. She hurriedly searched her surrounding, her eyes wide and unbeknownst to her, Byakugan activated. Sighing, she realized she was in her room, the moon shining bright through her window, curtains wide open. Deactivating her byakugan, Hinata shook her head.

"A-Ano..." she murmured to herself. She kicked off the heavy comforter from her already red and sweaty body. She brought her knees to her chest and began to breath loudly. Was what she just woken up from...a sex dream?

Hinata heard of sex dreams from Kiba while he babbled to an unwilling Shino. She knew that they consist of sexual favors, yet she was unsure as to why in the world she had suddenly gotten one. Did things like that happen to women? Virgin women? She had no experience in anything remotely sexual in hr past 18 years of living.

A loud knock sounded onto the door, signaling someone was coming in. Hurriedly, Hinata wrapped the warm comforter onto her body as the door to her room rushed open. Much to her despair, Sasuke poked his head through. Unknowingly, Hinata clenched her thighs together.

"Hinata." Sasuke spoke, his eyes scanning the room. He had not been asleep, though dozing off when he heard the loud yelp erupting from the Hyuga's room. However, he found her in her bed huddled under the massive comforter and wide eyed.

"S-Sasuke-kun!" Hinata stuttered. Sasuke wondered how the woman was not humid and claustrophobic by how tight she wrapped the comforter to her body. "I-I..ano, g-gomenasi...for waking you."

Sasuke pushed the door open wider, his eyes scanning the room once more. Nothing seemed out of place. The window was shut close and curtains wide open, the moon shining enough for him to see everything clearly. He stepped forward, only halting when Hinata shut her eyes tightly. "Are you hurt?" Sasuke questioned. The look of discomfort on the woman face was evident.

Hinata shook her head.

Sasuke took another step, watching as Hinata sunk further into the mattress. Sasuke being close to her at this moment, after a possible sex dream she had of him would surly have her faint on the spot. There was no way she could face him now, she was far too embarrassed! It did not help that Sasuke wore little clothing - as did she - to bed. Sporting nothing but a dark tank top and trousers that he placed on just because he left the comfort of his bedroom.

"I heard you shout. And you seem as if you're upset." Sasuke noted, eyebrows scrunched. "You've slept all day after your bath...is something bothering you?"

Hinata opened her eyes just to almost die on the spot. Sasuke now hovered above her, his eyes scanning her face and body for another reaction.

Hinata pushed herself away from him, her head shaking. "I-I'm alright, Sasuke-kun!"

Sasuke wasn't assured of this. He brought his knee onto her bed, head tilted. What in Kami's name was wrong with the woman and why is she scurrying away as if he murdered her entire family before her eyes. "Remove the blanket." Sasuke commanded.

Hinata yelped, shaking her head. "I-I'm okay-"

Sasuke reached out and harshly grasped the comforter from her shaky hands, pulling it away from her. He needed to know she wasn't hurt - she had to be. What other possibility is there? Her face lace with discomfort, her shaky hands and hunched up figure.

Sasuke hummed. She seemed alright, dressed in her nightwear - a fitted shirt she wouldn't wear outside and shorts. Sasuke didn't allow himself to stare longer than needed.

Hinata had no cuts or bruises. No muscle spams, either. He reached out to touch her skin and widen his eyes slightly at how warm she felt. "You're feverish." Sasuke murmured, his hand reaching to feel her forehead, frowning at the sweat.

Hinata giggled slightly - bitterly. She was far from "feverish". Her body wasn't aching in pain - far from it. She felt urges, something new to her that she has not felt ever in her life. Yes, like any other young girl thought of kissing and growing up to marry the man she loved; someone she'd bare kids and grow old with. However, never were her thoughts ever sexual like her dreams of Sasuke and she.

"Have you gotten any medical herbs?" Sasuke asked, removing his hand from her forehead. He then placed it upon her neck and nearly jumped when Hinata let out a shriek. "Kami, Hyuga, what-"

Hinata flushed bright red, her skin matching a tomato. Sasuke frowned. He eyed the woman, her ryes closed tightly and her legs clenched together. He couldn't understand it, but there was something of about the Hyuga.

"G-Gomen..." Hinata sighed. She just couldn't face Sasuke now. She was unable to, not after her dreams. The way he touched her, might like he was doing now - less sexual and more with concern. How could she face her soon to be husband when her unconscious mind dreamt of him.

Sasuke hummed. His thumb rubbed against the Hyuga's throat. He tried to sooth her the best way he could. Everyone knew he wasn't one for affection, even Hinata. Yet, even she had to know a part of him cared for her.

Hinata let out a shaky breath. Her eyes remain closed for she was unsure how she'd handle Sasuke seated so close to her if they were open. She found her predicament idiotic and downright pathetic. Sasuke was comforting her in a way Sasuke knew how. She sat here, feeling rather different than she ever had before, feeling nothing but an uncomfortable stickiness between her legs. Had she grown into a hormonal mess like Kiba? She hoped not.

"I-I had a dream." Hinata murmured. It felt like an eternity but she was able to speak up. She knew Sasuke wouldn't be satisfied if she hadn't.

"A nightmare?" Sasuke asked, furrowing a brow. He had his own fair share. He understood the way nightmares could shake a person.

Hinata flushed brightly. She bit her lip and shook her head. She wouldn't call this a nightmare - no matter how much it shaken her up to her core.

Sasuke grunted. What in the world would have Hinata literally shaking while in this humidity all the while sweating and yelping through the night?

Sasuke examined her once more. Flushed cheeks. Sweat leaking from her temples. Avoiding his eyes...clenching her thighs together...

Sasuke widen his eyes - only for a second. He tilted his head, unable to fight the smirk forming. "Was your dream...a wet one?"

Hinata snapped her eyes open. She resembled a deer caught by it's prey. She opened her mouth a few times, but closed it. She was unable to form words. How could she? What would she say? She's been caught in the act by Sasuke himself - the man her wet dream was about. Why in the world did she dream of him anyways? Yes, they were to be wed and eventually they would have to be intimate to birth the future of the Uchiha clan. However, she was thankful that Sasuke placed no pressure upon her. But now...

"G-Gomen, Sasuke-kun!" Hinata bowed her head, feeling tears form in her eyes. She was purely embarrassed. "I-I...I should have not t-thought of you and I-I..."

Sasuke's breath hitched. He gulped. Sasuke watched Hinata, feeling something in his stomach stir and (as sickening as it sounded) his underwear tighten.

Now Sasuke had no idea even if he was correct about the wet dream, yet he had a feeling a such. He had many wet dreams himself; he was a man after all. Even as a hormonal teenager he had them but never did he think he'd witness Hinata having one. She was far too innocent and pure - did she even ever think of sex? And to add even more tightening to his already tight underwear's, the thought of Hinata dreaming of him out of all people...

Sasuke shook his head. He needed any and every impure thoughts out of his head immediately.

"G-Gomen-"

"I've had a few wet dreams of my own." Sasuke admittedly spoke, nonchalant. He simply shrugged, there wasn't anything wrong with them nor could they be controlled. "They're normal."

Hinata let out a shaky breath. She knew they were normal, yet not anything normal for her. Her thighs clenched every few seconds and she felt uncomfortable and wanted nothing more than to shower.

"I could admit I've placed you in a couple questioning positions in my own wet dreams." Sasuke lets his hand fall from her neck. "Nothing an unconscious person can control."

Hinata widened her eyes- if even possible - at Sasuke's confession. Sasuke furrowed a brow. Maybe there were things that needed to be left unsaid, yet he had the desire to let it be known. She was normal for having a wet dream, he knew other woman had them, as well. That being said, even if he was shocked that her dream was of him, he was glad that the attraction he possessed for her was mutual.

"Don't." Sasuke scolded, a frown on his already frowning face. "Don't give me that look."

Hinata was taken back. How else would she look when a man as stoic as Sasuke would admit to having...wet dreams of her. She was beyond embarrassed now - far from it. All she wanted was to lay in her coffin and lay there for all of eternity.

Sasuke grunted. He pushed himself away from Hinata, still somewhat seated on her bed. She sighed. "I'm saying...Hinata..." he blinked at her, waiting for her eyes to meet his own. "it's normal to have an attraction, even if it is towards me. I am to be your spouse."

Hinata gulped. She felt her cheeks start to cool, much to her gratefulness. Sasuke was correct, they were to be wed sometime in the future. They already shared a few kisses, a bed and even a bath together. Naturally, her body and mind would grow to want him, as well, but she never thought it's be as soon as it was.

Finally allowing herself to remain calm, she gave Sasuke a soft smile - a grateful one. The heiress was content that the Uchiha was not disgusted by her, or even teased her for such a predicament. "A-Arigato, Sasuke-kun." Hinata bowed her head.

Sasuke remained silent; something Hinata took as a silent "you're welcome" in the Uchiha's way. Sasuke made a move to return to his own room when Hinata spoke forward. "W-Were you asleep?" Hinata frowned. She notice the tired look upon his face and cursed herself for waking up her...fiancé.

Sasuke shook his head. He was between sleep, not allowing himself to fully fall unconscious just yet.

Hinata gulped. She pushed the comforter onto her body and adverted her eyes to her bed. "Ano...are you tired?"

Sasuke examined Hinata's face. He turned towards her fully. "Is there something you wish to speak of?"

Hinata shook her head. There was nothing in particular she needed from the Uchiha. She knew she would be far from sleep now that she had slept for so long.

"Hn." Sasuke grunted to himself. "I could stay until you're asleep once more?" he offered, almost not believing his own words himself. The hesitant look on Hinata's face (the now turned to an surprised, yet content one) told him that she truly did not wish to be left alone.

Hinata nodded. "I-If you'd like." she murmured. She did not wish to burden Sasuke with her troubles.

Sasuke frowned deeper. "I need to hear you say it." he spoke. He needed to be sure she was comfortable with him enough to be next to him - especially after her dream.

Hinata fell onto her pillows, now hot again and clenching her legs once more. Sasuke watched with confusion as the girl groaned to herself in embarrassment. Hinata felt her mouth go dry, having heard the exact words Sasuke speak in her dreams

"A-Ano, Sasuke-kun, y-yes." Hinata gulped. "Y-You can stay as long a-as you wish. I'm far from tired, so I'll be up."

Sasuke remained silent. He strolled towards her bed and seated himself. For a while, the two were quiet, Hinata far too embarrassed to speak and Sasuke simply having nothing to say.

"Are you cold, Sasuke-kun?" asked Hinata dumbly. She noticed the goosebumps forming onto his skin while she hogged the heavy comforter to her body. "G-Gomen, here. O-Or you can go back, I'll be o-okay-"

Sasuke grasped the comforter and wrapped it around his waist, now laid down besides her, far too comfortable to leave and go back to his own room. "Don't faint." Sasuke said. Hinata knew it was in a teasing matter. She giggled slightly.

When Hinata awoke, it wasn't because of the sun shining through her window much like the moon did hours before. Nor was it Shinra and Hanabi getting ready in the morning for their day - Shinra for the academy and Hanabi for her early morning training. No, it wasn't even the extreme warmth she felt surrounding her thanks to the fluffy comforter.

It was Uchiha Sasuke himself that had woken Hinata - unintentionally. After the two laid together in silence, Hinata began to ramble while Sasuke listened, only speaking a few words when needed until they were asleep. Now, Sasuke and she shared a bed in a few occasions. When in Sora-Ku with Shinra and Sumire, as well as on the boat to Getsugakure. However this time was different - more intimate. Sasuke huddled closer to her, arms even wrapped around her and she had not awoke a few times from Sasuke's mumbling, but for only a few seconds before slumber consumed her once more.

But when Hinata fluttered here eyes open bc she felt movement within the bed and onto her body, she couldn't help but widen her eyes, hitch her breath and redden. She remained still, unable to move out of Sasuke's graps. What would she do? What could she say? She was simply stilled.

Sasuke had grasped her hips tightly, his fingertips clutching roughly. It was evident that he remained in deep sleep and Hinata did not hold him accountable. However, feeling Sasuke's hot breath against her beck and an obvious boner against her backside being thrusted against her - again against his will - made Hinata's situation more problematic than she thought it'd ever be.

Hinata let out a low, deep breath. She never felt another mans...Hinata felt goosebumps on her skin. Sasuke's hips jutted forward a few more times, his hands gripping her hips even harder that Hinata was sure she'd have bruises when he was done. Unbeknownst to Hinata, she clenched her thighs together and clamped her eyes shut.

Sasuke grunted, fluttering her eyes open. He licked his lip, feeling how dry they indeed were. The sunlight in the room blinded him and he remembered immediately that he did not reside in his own bedroom. As his eyes adjusted in the light, he nearly pushed himself away from the source of his current warmth - and erection.

Sasuke released Hinata's hips, unaware that he was even holding it to begin with - or how long he was gripping it. Slowly, he allowed himself to release her fully, much to his body's dismay and grunted lowly to himself. He notice's Hinata's breathing; slow and steady. She must have remained asleep through his unconscious touching and he thanked Kami that she had. He did not know how he'd face her if she was awake.

"Good m-morning, Sasuke-kun."

So Sasuke had been wrong. Never had he been startled so much in his life. He felt as if he was ready to jump out of his skin. Sasuke let out a grunt. "You're awake." he noted dumbly, not knowing what else to state.

Hinata's eyes remained closed. She had been awake while Sasuke awoken and closed her eyes to prevent from being caught. "I am." she whispered.

Sasuke's breathing became heavy. "How long?" he asked. "...have you been awake..."

Hinata pondered the question. She could spare Sasuke the horror and embarrassment and say she had awoken when he moved away from her. Yet, "I have. For about an hour."

Sasuke widen his eyes. "Why haven't you awoken me?" he hissed, pushing himself to be seated forward. Now that he knew Hinata was indeed awake, he feared that she now thought of him as a pervert. Mentally striking himself, Sasuke grunted.

"You were asleep." Hinata speaks lowly; tone in a matter-of-fact setting.

"That is no excuse." Sasuke hissed towards her.

Hinata frowned. Slowly, she turned to face Sasuke and the Uchiha wished she hadn't. He adverted his eyes away from her. "You're allowed to push anyone away if you're in a position that is uncomfortable for you."

Hinata let herself nod. She understood as such, she was not a child that did not understand consent. She blinked a few times at the Uchiha.

"I'll be going." Sasuke spoke lowly, not meeting the heiress eyes. "You'll be at the medic today, I assume?"

Hinata nodded once more, watching Sasuke lift himself off the bed. "Yes. Sakura-chan will be showing me a few more technique's and I also have a shift until noon."

Sasuke grunted in acknowledgment. "I'll be with the Shimura."

"Has he perfected the Katon?" asked Hinata.

Sasuke shook his head. "There's room for improvement."

Hinata hummed. No other words were exchanged between the two.

Though there was nothing that could be said. Sasuke was embarrassed with himself as it was and he would rather deal with the Shimura than with Hinata's pure intentions and naivety. After about ten minutes if washing himself and making himself presentable, Sasuke was out the door faster than Hinata could fall out for him. She had began o make breakfast, much to her dismay, now for herself.

Upon arriving to the training grounds, Sasuke watched closely as Shinra practiced his hand signs and movement, controlling his chakra the beat he could. The young Shimura had be adamant that he would perfect the Katon this week and so far, the boy barely breathed a spark. Sasuke couldn't judge, however. He would never tell the Shimura how he was the same way as a child while his father crossed his arms and declared him weak.

"Sensei?" asked Shinra after three hours of training. Sasuke had recited under a shaded tree, eyes staring straight ahead as he (unwillingly) wondered what the Hyuga was doing at this moment. Sasuke's eyes shifted to the Shimura for what seems like the first time in forever.

"Hn." Sasuke acknowledged the young boy. Shinra sighed, his arms at his side, defeated.

"Is there a reason why you're still training me?" asked Shinra, his own dark eyes not meeting his sensei.

"Was it not you who asked me to?" Sasuke asked rhetorically. There was no answer for said question. Even since Sasuke and Hinata returned, both adults noticed a shift in the Shinura's mood and aura. He was no longer loud and determined, it was as though his confidence went down. Now, Sasuke could understand as to why. The only family he had left was gone - Sasuke's own confidence subsided when he was a child even if he did not wish to show it.

Shinra gulped. "H-Hai." he nodded. Sasuke noticed the Shimura's head sink lower. "I-I...I do not wish to disappoint you, sensei." Shinra spoke in a voice barely audible.

Sasuke remained quiet. What could he say to the young boy. He was nothing but an academy student that could most likely pass as a chunin, or even more. Witnessing his student a stuttering mess and obviously upset was a sight he never thought he'd see.

"What's in your mind?" Sasuke asked. "You've been distant. Not only I have noticed."

Hanabi, who swore she despised the young Shimura, notice his change in attitude. She missed their arguments in the morning and even though she told him daily that he was nothing to her, she considered the Shimura a young brother (that she had not wish to have). To see Shinra go from loud, bayous to submissive and quiet rubbed her the wrong way. Everyone knew him changing slowly and only Sasuke had spoken up about it.

"I don't want to be a burden to you or Hinata-chan, sensei." Shinra whispered.

"Look forward to me when you speak." Sasuke retorted.

Shinra gulped once more. His eyes shifted to his sensei's, and his heart seemed to beat faster. There was no doubt that Sasuke was intimidating - even if Shinra had grown to his cold stares and silent statue.

"Now, what is the reason for your sudden change of mood?"

Sasuke remained eye contact with his student. It was weird to say, or to think. His student. A student that remained in the academy but had the ability to fight off chunin so if he wished. A student he wished he was at the boys young age. At a time such as this, there is not much need of fighting, yet the Shimura boy wished to become the strongest he could along side the Hoki. Either if he would admit it to himself or not, Sasuke showed great pride in his two students.

"I want you to be proud of me." Shinra admitted, feeling his ears flush. "O-Of Sumire and I." he quiet added.

Sasuke hummed.

"I-I know I can be rude and...ungrateful at times." Shinra fiddled with his fingers as he spoke. "A-And I appreciate you and Hinata-chan the most. I have grown to love you both. Even if I..."

Sasuke awaited the Shimura's response. By the way the boys eyes fluttered, he could see that something was troubling the boy.

"Shinra." Sasuke spoke, his voice low. He rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving the boy.

Shinra stiffen. "You are not obligated to care for me." he worded slowly, taking a few deep breaths between words. "I-I...am not a relative or...your son."

Sasuke hummed. Now he understood where the Shinura's feelings were. "You aren't my son." Sasuke agreed. His eyes adverted towards the sky. It was now mid day and the sky remained cloudless as Sasuke and Shimura stood within the training grounds. The azure sight before him seemed like an endless shade of blue.

"Gomen, sensei." Shinra hunched his shoulders. He knew that his sensei thought if him as nothing but a burden. It was one thing to train him, but to live with his sensei after his grandmother had passed...it was as if his grandmother had passed off the burden of raising him to his sensei. "I-I don't want to be a bother. To you and Hinata-chan."

"You aren't my son..." Sasuke repeated lowly, watching as Shinra's lips began to tremble as he awaited Sasuke continuation. "However, it does not mean I will treat you any less."

Shinra widen his eyes. Maroon eyes widening as he adverted them towards his sensei's face - a serious face. Shinra gulped, his ears twitching. "A-Ano..." he stuttered, allowing his heart to beat to it's content now. "D-Does that mean..."

"Take it as you wish." Sasuke interrupted, not having the desire to explain further or have the boy pester him any longer. "How are you feeling of the Katon?"

Shinra allowed himself to smile widely, his confidence and care free attitude slowly creeping back. "It sure is hard to achieve, sensei, but I'll do it before my birthday comes! Don't you worry!" the Shimura shouted, raising his fists in the air in determination.

Sasuke knitted his brows. How in the world had he not know that the Shimura had a birthday. It never occurred to him that the young boy would not be nine years old forever and would have to grow old someday. "When is your birthday?" Sasuke asked. Did Hinata know? Surely she did not. The Hyuga seemed as though she would waste all her life savings on a birthday party.

"The end of this week." Shinra replied, his shoulders hunching lightly, yet his smile never fell from his lips. "I promise I'll perfect the Katon in time for my birthday! It could be my own present to myself."

And with that, the Shimura scurried off to practice the Katon, his eyes shining with determination. Sasuke huffed. Now that he understood the boys problem and insecurities, he knew that Shinra would slowly be back to his normal self - if not by the end of the day.

"You're overreacting." Sasuke sighed, his eyes shining with annoyance as he watched Hinata scurry around, hands on her temples.

"Overreacting?" she hissed lowly, not wishing her sister of Shinra to hear them. "At the end of this week is Shinra-kun birthday! How could I not know of this until now?!"

"He did just inform me today." Sasuke replied cooly. "You would have not know if I did not tell you."

Hinata frowned. "Now is not the time for your sass, Sasuke-kun." Hinata muttered. "Shinra's birthday is coming and I have nothing planned!"

Sasuke watched as Hinata began to talk to herself, mumbling how she could possibly plan a birthday party fit for a young boy such as Shinra in a matter of a few days. Sweat began to form on her forehead, as well as stress veins. Sasuke marveled how the Hyuga had not popped a few blood vessels yet.

"What if he doesn't want a party." Sasuke spoke, less of a question and more of a matter-of-fact.

Hinata snorted. "Ever kid want's a birthday party, Sasuke-kun." she waved him off. "I need to send out invitations and make plans...the food, cake and decorations. Kami...do you think his friends would come here if I-"

Sasuke frowned. He stood from his seat on his leather couch - a gift from Kakashi. "I am not having any of those snot nose heathens in my household." Sasuke spat. He could deal with his children - his student's as he should say. Shinra and Sunire were not whiny and obnoxious. He could not say the same for the other children in the Academy.

"Sasuke-kun!" Hinata gasped, scolding the older Uchiha.

"Why in Kami's name should I allow a party in here?" Sasuke asked. For what reason? Had Shinra had any friends outside of Sumire? He had not seen the boy with anyone besides the Hoki. "The Shimura doesn't need to be associated with underlings."

Hinata gasped. Her eyes glared - as much as her soft eyes could. "Shinra is not any better than the other kids, Sasuke-kun! You cannot have him think that, either. It isn't fair that he and Sumire are training under you."

Sasuke snorted. He had every right to feel as though his children - again, his students, were better than the other. What other 9 year olds out there could perfect even a quarter of what Shinra and Sumire perfected?

"Just because Shinra-kun's skillful does not mean he is not a kid, Sasuke-kun." Hinata spoke, her voice now soft. "This is his first birthday without Midori-san...I want it to be special."

Sasuke sighed internally. She knew what she was doing. She knew how she had to speak to him and how her eyes had to soften enough for her to get what she wanted and then...

"Hn." Sasuke grunted.

Hinata smiled widen on her face. "So we can have a party here?" the heiress asked hopefully.

"Hn."

"And we can invite all of his friends from the Academy."

"...Hn." Sasuke grunted, feeling his hand clench. He truly did not wish to have any more unwanted children inside his household. He was sure they would ruin the place by jumping off the walls and breaking things.

Hinata clasped her hands together. "Arigato, Sasuke-kun!" Hinata bowed, her smile never leaving her face. "Shinra-kun would be content to know he's having a party!"

Sasuke grunted. He knew he didn't wish to have anymore children bothering his space. He knew be did not want the loud noises, the mess of it all...yet there was something about the way Hinata's beamed when she mumbled out her plans to him. Either of Sasuke heard it or not, he felt something in his stomach churn.

Maybe he was growing ill.

"What was you nii-san like?" asked Hinata, her arms folded onto her lap.

Sasuke's ears perked. He understood the question was towards him while she took a knee onto the ground before the gravestone before her, brushing a few leaves away from the stone.

It was the day prior to finding out of Shinra's birthday. After frantically planning for a few hours, Hinata came to the conclusion of how she would come about of such annoyance. She proceeded to cook dinner - Shinra's favorite for it was the young boys birthday week - and all went their separate ways for slumber.

During the day Hinata continued her daily routine's. Lee found Hinata's stamina remarkable and suggested that she throw on ankle weights - one's made of sand for beginners in which Hinata responded with a quiet "I'll see."

Afterwards, she washed quickly and made her way towards Yamanaka flower's where she'd know Ino would be. After a few moments of useless chatting and a quick invitation to Shinra's birthday party, Ino suggested that they spar for a few rounds.

Hinata's day with Ino ended in a peaceful note. Both women ate lunch together following their sparing session and went their separate ways, Ino shouting a "See you at the brat's birthday party!" before giggling off.

"D-Did he care for you...? Like my Nii-san had..." Hinata mumbled, unsure if she was in the wrong for asking such a question. She did not wish to make Sasuke uncomfortable by asking unnecessarily personal questions.

Upon her arrival at the home to find it quiet. No signs of Hanabi or Shinra or even Sasuke, she decided to preoccupy her time with cleaning - starting with the kitchen and ending with the outskirts of the large Uchiha compound. She never been this far before, instructed by Sasuke that she did not need to care for such a place. However, she was unsure as to why in the world she had. She brushed a few leaves and scanned her eyes over the name...Uchiha Itachi.

"He isn't buried there." Sasuke's voice had startled her out of her daze. "None of them are. I suppose Kakashi was kind enough to give them a gravestone." Sasuke carried on, tone emotionless.

Hinata had nodded, her eyes scanning the stone once more. Again, she'd brushed a few leaves away as the wind began to pick up.

"There was time's that my nii-sam despised me. As you know...however we grown to love one another for the both of us and Hanabi were all we had." Hinata explained, finally lifting to her feet. "I recall being jealous of him, but never bitter. I wished for my otou-san to train me as he trained my nii-san."

Sasuke listened in silent, his eyes scanning the way her hair began to flow in the light breeze.

"Imagine my clan's surprise. M-my nii-san, destined to the branch family becoming powerful enough to defeat someone in the main branch." Hinata began to giggle, her cheeks flushing. "We were all so stunned when he perfected a move only the main family would know. My nii-san...he perfected skills by only watching."

Sasuke recalled the fight between Hinata and Neji to know that Neji was an opponent he couldn't go against during his youth. He's heard stories of what Hyuga Neji could do and what he's done. It was tragic fate that he perished in the war.

"I use to blame myself for his death." Hinata spoke slowly, yet her voice remained steady. "If only I was quicker...more willing. Then maybe Neji wouldn't have died. However, even if he did die, he died smiling."

Hinata had not noticed she was rambling. With a res blush, she slowly turned towards Sasuke to find his eyes piercing through her. "A-Ano..." she stuttered.

"I despised him. As you know." Sasuke angled his head to stare at the leaves surrounding the two of them. "After the downfall of my clan by his hands, I vowed that I'd grow powerful enough to kill him."

Hinata gulped, letting his breathing turn heavy. Sasuke was speaking with her of his brother and she did not wish to ruin it with useless chatter on her end.

"Day by day I swore that I'd kill him. That when I'd become strong enough that I would be the sole avenger of my clan no matter how I did it." a few leaves began to twirl within the wind, falling back on the ground as the wind came to a halt. "Even after his death I let my hatred for him turn deeper for learning the truth."

Hinata remained still as her eyes followed Sasuke's sudden movement. He took a few steps away from her - behind her. She turned to watch, even follow if she must.

"How could he be so selfish to allow me to think he murdered my clan for my sake? I figured I had the right to know that he was threatened to do so for the sake of me and this Kami forsaken village."

Sasuke's throat began to hurt as well as his temples. He had not thought of Itachi and the truth in such time that whenever he did, it was unbearable to handle.

"S-Sasuke-kun..." Hinata murmured, her eyes lowering in sympathy.

"Even when I fought to kill him did he think of me." Sasuke murmured, flashbacks of said memories of the tiring fight between him and Itachi. "He released me of Orochimaru's cursed seal and even managed to seal the Amaterasu in my eyes."

Hinata gulped. "W-What's the Amaterasu?"

"Highest level of Fire Release." Sasuke answers monotonously. "It's a dojutsu of the Mangekyo Sharingan. I'd have to show you."

Hinata nods, allowing a soft smile to form on her lips. "I'd like that, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke turns his head away and closes his eyes. "My brother as well died with a smile."

Sasuke would never be able to remove the look on Itachi's face, blood streaming from his lips as his brother allowed them to curve upward. "He apologized to me before he fell onto the ground. I was left in a state of confusion. Why in Kami's name was he apologizing to me with a smile on his face?" Sasuke snickered, opening his eyes. He adverted his hard gaze to Hinata's soft one. "Upon learning the truth of my clan's downfall and my brother's fate, I began to hate myself for not knowing what he was going through. One moment we were inseparable with me trailing behind him, and in a blink of an rye he's on the ground dead."

"S-Sasuke-kun..." Hinata moved forward, an attempt to comfort the Uchiha the best she could. What could she say? Sasuke had been left in the dark - as well as most of everyone in Konoha that knew of the Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi's fate. He did not deserve to have bis clan slaughtered for his own life to be sparred. He did not deserve to know the fate his brother chose after watching him die before his eyes. Hibata could only imagine the pain and anger he must have felt.

"Do you want to see the crypt?" Sasuke wondered, his eyes falling behind her. "Only my mother, father and brother's gravestone are sat here."

Hinata nodded eagerly. Here she sat, a slow smile creeping onto her face. No other woman would be eager to see a crypt of her future spouse's deceased clan.

Sasuke strolled past her, walking towards the large, marble stone crypt that Hinata had not dare to enter without permission. Upon entering, the stone door rumbled. Onto the right of the wall sat a lit candle, possibly there for whenever Sasuke entered. Hinata thought and pondered how many times did Sasuke come here to have the candle already lit.

Grasping the candle in his hand, Sasuke began to walk downwards the stairs, careful not to walk too fast or slow for Hinata. The heiress huddle behind him, her eyes straining in the dark room, only having the candle light to illuminate throughout.

"This is where the rest of my clan had been remembered. Again, their bodies are long gone." Sasuke spoke in monotone, halting in a large room that Hinata could feel without having to see. "Generations go back as far before Madara."

Uchiha Madara. The name prickled onto Hinata's skin of the remembrance of the man during the war, a man with piercing eyes she wished to forget.

"It'd be easier to activate your Byakugan." Sasuke suggested, not waiting for Hinata to do so before activating his Sharingan and blowing out the candle.

Hinata gulped, activating her Byakugan and began to look around. She witness many names that were unfamiliar to her, and many that she recalled hearing around her lifetime - either by Sasuke or not.

"I come here once a month as a remembrance only. I do not speak for there is nothing else for me to say."

Hinata bit her lip. Her suspicions were correct.

"Rarely...I'll recall memories of my family. To my mother. It feels idiotic of me, to speak to nothing but a stone." Sasuke snorted humorlessly, shaking his head slightly.

"No." Hinata retorted. "There's nothing wrong with wishing to speak with your loved ones."

Sasuke anticipated that the Hyuga would say something such as that. Still, he couldn't help but feel childish after admitting to talking to his mother - nothing but a stone on the ground for her body had long sense perished.

"W-What do you talk about?" Hinata gulped. She was sure Sasuke could hear her heart beating erratically outside her cheat. It was as though her heart was bouncing off the walls.

Sasuke remained silent. Hinata understood. He was not ready to speak with her about the conversations he had with his mother - she didn't blame him.

"Y-You do not have to answer-"

"I ask what my life would become if she were alive." Sasuke announced. "If I would be the man I am today...the traitorous rogue that chose power."

"You're not traitorous!" Hinata differs, her byakugan eyes flaring.

Sasuke snorted. "Tell that to your clan and to the civilian's who mocked you for being my fiancée."

"I-I do not care what they think!" Hinata crossed her arms childishly. She pursed her lips. What Sasuke had done happened years ago. He was a mere child tormented and sought out by a villainous man who had been up to now good since the beginning.

Sasuke tilted his head. He took a few steps closer to the heiress. "I talked about you, as well."

Hinata felt her breath hitched. Having the all seeing eye and being able to see from 360 degree's, Sasuke had a smooth way of grasping her left hand, his fingers on the large heirloom ring he had gifted her.

"I informed her of the ring I have given you. Of our marriage agreement. No doubt she would have...been angered that I had not proposed in a more suitable way." Sasuke's fingers, against his better judgment, began to trace the ring on Hinata's finger's. "I've let her know of Shinra's current situation and him residing with the compound. I've questioned if I was somewhat of a role model to the boy."

"Y-You are." Hinata informed, her eyes scanning Sasuke's face with her activated eyes. He remained expressionless.

"I pondered that if I could be a role model to the Shimura...that if I could be a role model to my own children." Sasuke questioned, his Shanringan eye's flickering to her's. Hinata yelped mentally, finding Sasuke's pierced gaze. Could the Uchiha see her in the dark room? "One day."

Hinata felt Sasuke release her hand. She clenched them, wishing for the warmth he radiated to return.

"Let's go. Shinra should be returning soon from training." Sasuke spoke after for what felt like hours.

Hinata nodded. She watched as Sasuke lifted his hand, holding out for her. He knew she could see his gesture due to her dojutsu. With a flushed face that she hoped Sasuke did not witness, she grasped the Uchiha's hand and allowed him to show her the exit of the crypt, both ignoring that she could see her way with the Byakugan.

A/N: Alright don't kill me! I haven't been here in so long. Firstly, Happy New Years to you all. I know I have not been here in soooo long but I hope this chapter makes up for it! i've been going through major writers block and didn't know exactly how I wanted to go through with this story. I'm planning on doing one last chapter before I end Shades of Cool and move onto my newest (If you call new) story Cruel Intentions. woth this chapter and the ending, I really hope you come to love it. Please let me know what you think!