Again, his eyes closed. Anyone else, and he would clam up, refuse to answer, or dismiss it with a huff of annoyance. To Hinata-sama... he owed her an answer, meager as it was. In spite of himself, the smallest of smiles found his lips at the thought of her. "She wanted me," he answered simply, hands relaxing atop his thighs. "She saw me as someone more than just the Hyuuga genius. She is... responsible for the person I am today, in much the same way that he is."

A breath of hesitation as he chose how to phrase it without revealing too much. "Not long after my arrival here, I had a... rather serious disagreement with Tenten. Naruto remained there for me, when I had..." His lips quirked in a self-depreciating smile. "I believe Tenten would say I acted like a jerk. Naruto stayed with me in spite of that, in spite of... many things."

He opened his eyes to look to his cousin. "It is, of course, your decision... but if he does not return your feelings, why should you spend any further of your precious time on such an endeavor?"