Pivotal (Sasuke and Hinata)

Kizuna

"Hinata-neesama, you look much happier these days. It makes me feel relieved," said Hanabi.

"Oh, you noticed," said Hinata as she brushed her long hair.

"Did something good happened?" asked Hanabi.

"Well... uhmm... I m-manage to complete my t-training and.. uhmm.. I want to make it perfect. That's all," explained Hinata.

"Oh really, good for you then. You always train hard and it makes me happy to know that it's fruitful. But lately, you always went missing. I hardly had time to talk to you like before," said Hanabi.

"That's because I went to train myself. I want to be much stronger than before. That is why you barely see me, right?" said Hinata.

Hanabi went out from Hinata's room after the talk. Hinata puts down her comb and laid on the bed. She was so excited for today's training. It had been 3 weeks since Hinata beat Sasuke and from that day, Sasuke always summoned her for training. Well, not everyday but a few times in a week. During the first day of training, Hinata had a hard time trying to keep up with Sasuke. He's so strict with her and it showed on his face the unwillingness to train her. But things work out after a few times of training and Sasuke slowly let his guard down around Hinata. Often they were alone together while training.

*Flashback*

"Okay, Hinata. Let's take a break," said Sasuke.

"Okay," answered Hinata as she took a sit under a tree.

Then Sasuke sat across her and drank some water. He slightly looked at Hinata when finishing his drink and saw Hinata rested her back against the tree as she closed her eyes.

He stared at her for a while and said, "You know I'm capable of killing you, right?"

Hinata opened her eyes and looked at Sasuke. "Yes, I know," said Hinata.

"Then why are you so carefree when I'm with you, alone?," asked Sasuke.

"Because I know you won't kill me," said Hinata.

"What makes you so sure about that?" asked Sasuke again.

"If you really want to kill me, you can finish me off during the first fight. By looking how strong you're throughout the training, I knew that you were holding back during the first fight," explained Hinata.

Sasuke looked away and Hinata laughed a bit.

"Did you just laugh at me?" asked Sasuke, slightly annoyed.

"No. I'm not. It just a cough," said Hinata as she faked a cough.

"I heard it loud and clear, you know. Admit it!" said Sasuke.

Hinata smiled as she holds her laugh. Sasuke saw that and shouted, "Just spit it out. What so funny, huh?"

Then Hinata broke into a big laugh. It took a while before she said, "You look so cute when you are mad."

"I'M NOT MAD, OKAY?!" said Sasuke.

Then he stood up and walked a few step away before he turned back to Hinata and said, "One more thing. Don't call me cute. It's WRONG on so many different levels."

Hinata just smiled and watched him walked away.

*End of flashback*

Hinata loose the bandage around her hand and stared at the mark.

'What does this mark means? Sasuke said Neko-chi never had a mark like this before'

"Ah, what am I thinking?! Maybe it just a simple mark. Nothing more, nothing less," said Hinata to herself.

She tightens back the bandage and walked toward the door before she suddenly vanished into thin air.