Forbidden Attraction

Chapter 38: Guardians of the Heart

Hinata stepped out of her apartment with Sasuke in tow, their shared errand in mind. As they ventured into the bustling day, they unexpectedly encountered Kiba, an old friend they hadn't seen in quite some time.

"Hey, Hinata! Long time, huh? Oh, um, hey Sasuke," Kiba greeted with a mix of surprise and curiosity, his eyes shifting between the two.

"Hello, Kiba. We were just heading to the store. What brings you here?" Hinata replied warmly, extending a friendly welcome.

"Oh, I happened to be around and thought I'd drop by to say hi. Besides, Akamaru was itching for some social time," Kiba explained, unzipping his jacket to reveal his loyal canine companion.

"Hello, Akamaru! You've grown so much," Hinata cooed, gently reaching out to caress the playful pup. Sasuke observed the exchange, his demeanor remaining impassive.

"Hinata, lets go," Sasuke interjected suddenly, his voice commanding, and he lightly tugged on her wrist, signaling their need to leave.

Kiba, sensing the urgency, queried, "Where's your girlfriend?" as they prepared to depart.

Sasuke regarded him with an unreadable expression. "We broke up."

Kiba's eyes widened in astonishment. "Seriously?" he inquired, his curiosity now piqued. "I thought you two were inseparable."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted.

"So, are you two... together now?" Kiba couldn't help but inquire, his curiosity lingering as he glanced back and forth between Hinata and Sasuke.

"No," Sasuke replied curtly, his grip on Hinata's wrist tightening as he steered her away, resolutely heading toward the store.

"Goodbye, Kiba! It was nice catching up with you," Hinata called back with a friendly wave, even as she was gently pulled away by Sasuke, leaving behind an inquisitive Kiba.

𝌀☯𝌀

Sasuke and Hinata walked side by side through the bustling aisles of the grocery store, picking up the items they needed for their respective households. As they moved through the store, Hinata couldn't help but notice the occasional glances from other shoppers, especially men, who would steal admiring glances at her. She was used to it, being a kind and gentle person who exuded a quiet grace. However, Sasuke's keen perception did not go unnoticed by her.

Sasuke's protective instincts kicked in immediately as he noticed the unwanted attention directed towards Hinata. His eyes narrowed, and he positioned himself subtly between Hinata and the person who was looking at her, without drawing too much attention.

Hinata noticed Sasuke's protective stance and appreciated his presence. She felt safe and comforted by his unwavering protectiveness towards her, even though they were not officially dating. She knew that Sasuke's loyalty and dedication to her were unwavering.

A young man walked past them, stealing a lingering glance at Hinata. Sasuke's gaze sharpened, and he subtly positioned himself even closer to Hinata, his body language sending a clear message that she was off-limits.

Hinata couldn't help but smile at Sasuke's protectiveness. She reached out and touched his arm gently, a silent reassurance that she was fine. Sasuke's gaze softened as he looked at her, his protective instinct gradually calming down. He nodded, acknowledging her reassurance, but still keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

They continued their shopping, with Sasuke ever vigilant and Hinata feeling grateful for his presence. She knew that Sasuke's overprotectiveness was not borne out of possessiveness, but rather out of genuine concern and care for her.