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V. Worth the Hyuga heiress.

After a moment of walk they faced her caravan. It was almost identical to his, but the wood outside was painted in blue, not green, and had a white drawing of eye over the entrance.
As she opened the door, the intoxicating smell of herbs, spices and flowers flooded him immediately. The furnitures inside were placed the same way as in his caravan. Her desk was occupied mostly by books and sketches, but he also noticed there a purple, crystal ball, a vase of yellow flowers and a metal mortar. Dried herbs and clean bandages were hanging by the window, on the floor was standing a wooden box filled with closed bottles in various shapes. That place somehow had reminded him of the witch's hunt from tales he used to listen as a child.

After taking the lenses off, Hinata sat on the bed and Uchiha followed. Their knees softly touched, but none of them seemed to mind it. It was the silence, which parted them, even if them both earned for understanding. Navy haired lady knew the solution, but the fear stopped her. The fear of being abandoned by him. She knew that it would be over if Uchiha would start avoiding and sending her hateful gazes too.

Of course, he could say that she didn't have to confess anything, but the built wall would keep standing between them. Hinata didn't want to lie him. She was tired of lying on every step she made. Sasuke, from all people there, deserved to know why. The truth is told to be the one setting free, but would it be in that case? There was only one way to find out.

After a deep breath, she started:

- Before I start, I-I have to tell you... The day when Nishimura chose me at the arena was the day I was parted from my younger sister, Hanabi. She was j-just eight... I-I couldn't leave her there. They... They took me away from her. - Hinata's voice was breaking. - I was devastated. They promised me that they'd let me see her, b-but... It was just an another lie to make me obedient. And I was. For a long time I had done what they told, I witnessed so many cruel things without saying a thing until... I saw them murdering a small girl. It was nothing new, but... She was the same age with Hanabi. Had the same height, the same dark brown hair, pale skin and dimplets in cheeks. That day I realized that... that m-my sister is probably dead too.

Sasuke wasn't saying anything, not really sure if any words would help. The awareness that the sibling might had been murdered with a cold blood was something too painful to even imagine. He still had right to hope that Itachi could be still alive, he was strong, but... Younger kids had low chances to survive.

- I felt that... there's nothing to live for anymore. All my family is dead. I... I wanted to kill myself. Finish that agony. But... I-I couldn't. I just couldn't. Not because I was afraid. I promised myself that as the last heiress of Hyuga clan, I won't die like that. - her hands were made in fists . - It was the day of the show, my turn was the most awaiting. Always I take volunteers to predict their future. So I did. I chose one of the guards I knew from arena. Disgusting man. And I told him his future, the curse. The curse given by all of the shinobi children he hurt, where his all relatives die on his eyes, live his long, lonely life hunted by ghosts of killed families and dies from hands of the kids he used to abuse.

Uchiha couldn't help the smirk appearing on his lips, wishing to witness that fearful moment, see the terror painted on their faces.

- I made them remember me. Of course, I was taken from stage by force and recieved the "punishment".

For his surprise, Hinata turned from him. Her hands were shaking as she
slowly took of the cotton shirt. Staying only in a covering her breasts bandage, she revealed him the back.

Sasuke stared at her and couldn't find a free from marks space. The scars were nasty and deep, some pale, some still not fully healed. These were formed in wide, long lines, but a few just were a pink patches after the skin was... Ripped off? He had never seen something like that. Calling it the "bad thing" that happened to her, like the big snake did, was like saying nothing. Such cruelty was just terrifying.

Hinata could feel the soft, cold touch of his fingers on her back, she shivered. No one except the pink haired girl, who had taken care of her for the next few weeks, had seen these before. Now, she felt completely naked in front of Uchiha. Then, she heard:

- Names, Hinata. Give me their names. - "I'll show them the fate worse than death" he thought, dripping from rage.

- No, Sasuke. After them, another will come, maybe even worse than previous ones. - she responded, turning to face. He saw she was not blinded by hate and probably had thought about it a lot in the past. - I showed you these for another reason. I'm not ashamed of them... Not anymore. These scars remind me of the strenght and courage I had to disobey these monsters. And even if they scourged me roughly 120 times, made me count each, even if I risked my life for something so selfish... I don't regret that. Because if I died that day, It wouldn't be death of a coward or a slave, but worth the Hyuga heiress.

After her words, they both became silent. Sasuke looked at her, seeing a whole different person than he used to know. She wasn't a timid girl anymore. She was a woman. A noble, brave woman, who knew the value of her title, even if everyone around kept humiliating her. The woman, who with her kind nature gained respect from the beasts and from him. Who despite the cruelty she witnessed, still was light and pure. "She would be a great Uchiha" - he thought with a smirk.

On the other hand, Hinata was scared. He knew the truth. Now, he could shout at her, be angry, never say a thing again. But... She felt relief. Finally, she let someone know the truth. Whatever would be next, Hyuga was ready.

Looking deeply into her eyes, Sasuke took her hand and said:

- I hate the fact you risked your life for that, but... They fully deserved that lesson. Next time don't do such thing without me knowing. I will make sure they'll never touch you again.

Hinata felt the tears running on her cheeks and smile revealing on face. It was... More than she could expect in any considered scenario. Sasuke had never been good at saying things, but he was proud of her. Unexpectedly, she shyly wrapped arms around his waist. He accepted that invitation and laid them on the bed. Long fingers were stroking softly the long, midnight blue hair, when the other hand carresed unregular fracture of her back. Their breaths had the same rhythm, even if hearts were beating faster than usually. He had never enjoyed the physical contact, but with Hinata everything felt... Comfortable. She wasn't like the fangirls he used to had, she was far from being pushy or annoying. Having her in the embrance gave Sasuke feeling of safety that he had forgotten long ago.

The sun was slowly setting, spreading the golden light through the window. The intoxicating smell of the caravan mixed with the scent of her, he subtly nuzzled his nose in the Hinata's neck. Girl's body responded immediately, the cheeks got red and legs covered the goosebumps. She gasped quietly, his lips so close to the sensitive skin was something Hinata had never felt before. It was scary and exciting at the same time.

Then, Sasuke's gaze turned to the lips, admiring their color of cherries, smoothness and a subtle shine. The hot breath tickled her, the bigger, a little rough hand landed on a soft cheek and a thumb stroked the lower lip. The air felt too heavy to breath, temperature - too high to cope with. He looked into girl's eyes with hesitation, but she didn't ran away. Not that time.

- How to resist you, when you turned to be the sweetest of temptations, Hyuga Hinata?

His voice was low, making Hyuga's cheeks blush even deeper and sending shivers down the spine. Her mouth opened a little, the light purple eyes looked at him with innocence. She looked breathtaking.

- Sasuke... - her whisper was soft like feather's touch.

The distance between them closed and he gave Hinata his first, true kiss. It felt like heaven - her lips were softer than Sasuke could imagine, sweet and intoxicating. The heart had never beaten faster. They parted, but their gazes crossed at the same time.

Then, the fear came like a flood. What if she didn't feel the same way? What if she would reject him and never speak to him again? How awkward it would be in the future? He had never been thinking about such things, but now he could feel the pain in chest.

Suddenly, all of worries drifted from his mind as she locked their lips again in the response. Uchiha had never felt such joy and relief, arms closed tightly around her perfectly curved body. Their kiss became deeper, more passionate, he leaned over her on the bed. Hinata's hands traveled on his muscularted back and torso, shyly exploring its every curve and edge, then found the neck and pulled him even closer. He softly licked her lower lip, asking for the entrance. Their tongues gently stroked, then played and he entered her sweet mouth, making the girl moan quietly. These sounds were motivating him to keep going, the pants started to feel too tight. The skin was burning, craving to be touched. It looked like all the world went quiet, nothing else mattered anymore. Just two of them and feelings they shared.