Forbidden Attraction

Chapter 35: Unwelcome Intrusion

Hinata inhaled from the blunt, her eyes locked onto Sasuke as she decided to broach the topic. "Sasuke, we really need to talk," she said before taking another hit and then passing the blunt back to him.

Sasuke observed her quietly, his gaze guarded. He inhaled deeply, the smoke swirling around him, while Hinata's words lingered in the smoky haze. When she brought up the incident with Sai and his subsequent behavior, Sasuke knew that he needed to address it.

Hinata continued speaking, her voice soft yet resolute. "I can't stop thinking about you punching Sai. What's going on with you?" After taking another hit, she handed the blunt back to Sasuke.

Sasuke regarded the blunt in his hand, his thoughts in a tumultuous swirl. He put it to his lips and inhaled, the bitterness momentarily numbing his emotions.

Hinata's next words caught him off guard. "You're acting like a jealous boyfriend," she admitted, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. The revelation struck Sasuke, and he found himself at a loss for words, puffing on the blunt as he processed what she had said.

Sasuke eventually responded, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's not... like that," he muttered, his gaze returning to Hinata, though his expression remained shrouded.

Hinata's demeanor softened as she reached for the blunt, taking another hit before passing it back to Sasuke. She met his eyes with earnest concern.

"But Sasuke," she began, her voice a gentle whisper, "I can't help feeling that way. You mean a lot to me, and this recent change in you, it's confusing."

Sasuke looked at the blunt in his hand, grip tightening slightly. He felt a turmoil within himself. Emotions he had long repressed were now resurfacing, and he struggled to confront them.

He raised the blunt to his lips and inhaled, the smoke swirling around his mouth as he contemplated Hinata's words. He locked eyes with her, and her empathetic gaze left him no room to hide.

Hinata's touch on his hand felt grounding, and her voice was soft but unwavering. "Sasuke, I don't want us to be like this. I want us to communicate and understand each other."

Sasuke took another drag from the blunt, letting the smoky haze temporarily cloud his vision. He recognized the connection he had with Hinata, one that had the power to stir emotions he had long buried.

"I... I don't know how," he confessed, his voice strained. "I've never been good at this."

Hinata's grip on his hand tightened, providing comfort and assurance. "It's alright," she said gently. "We'll figure it out together."

Sasuke handed the blunt back to her, a silent acknowledgment that they needed to have this conversation without the cloud of smoke between them.

Naruto's exuberant voice shattered the intense atmosphere, startling both Sasuke and Hinata. Hinata turned to find Naruto seated beside her, wearing a mischievous grin.

"Wow, you two are nailing this communication thing in your 'relationship,' but can I have the blunt?" Naruto reached for it without missing a beat, his teasing tone in full swing.

Hinata blushed with embarrassment, caught in an awkward moment with Sasuke. She had been so engrossed in their conversation that she had momentarily forgotten Naruto's presence.

"Hey there, Hinata. I was here first," Naruto quipped, taking a drag and exhaling a cloud of smoke. He watched Hinata's blush deepen, and he couldn't resist poking fun at the situation.

"At least you guys didn't start making out in front of me," Naruto added playfully, taking another drag before handing the blunt back to Hinata.

Hinata's cheeks grew redder, and she nervously accepted the blunt from Naruto. She felt flustered by the situation and didn't know how to respond.