Memories: Bittersweet

The Hokage sighed, slightly surprised, almost angered at the ranting Hyuuga standing in his front. He shook his head sideward, showing his disagreement on what the male genius is talking about, while eyeing to the other slightly annoyed females sitting at the far back of his office. Whether he like it or not, he just needed to hear everything what this white-eyed male's reasoning. Why? It's not because of the security he wanted to give for the Hyuuga Clan leader, but it's because of his appointee. The Hyuuga male doesn't seem to understand his appointment on the man beside him to take charge of the safety of his cousin.

"So do you agree with me, Hokage-sama?" the Hyuuga male eyed him with scrutiny. He sighed inwardly, why on earth that this man can't understand what he meant, his cousin was by far one of the most important woman in all Konoha!!

"Neji, never did I imagine that you're going to be a loud mouth too!" the Rokudaime sarcastically retorted, he understand what Neji meant, he understand how Neji feels when it comes to his cousin's safety, but Neji can't understand that his appointee is a not just an ordinary ninja, but one that is equal to him or by far, much better than him. Also, this man that he assigned to has already proven his loyalty to him and to the whole Fire Nation.

Neji started on glaring daggers at the higher nin in front of him. If not because of his respect of the man, he have already landed a blow onto his face, enough for him to wake his mind up and think all the things he said over and over again. Sure, he saw all the hardships of the Hokage's appointee just to convince the council that he's a loyal ninja of the country, but as for him, such hardships is not enough for him to just let him to be his cousin's escort.

The said Clan leader stand up, eyebrows slightly furrowed on the bridge of her nose, forehead wrinkled and her slow breathing shifted into heavy sighs. Her sudden movements startled the males and the lady beside her. At this, they silenced and shifted their gazes to her.

"Hokage-sama, may I speak?" she broke the tensioned silence in the office. She knew what she had to do, only thing is, she wished that these men should understand her capabilities.

"Ah… Sure…" he stammered as he felt the strange aura of annoyance started to envelop her usually contained demeanor.

"I just want to know why, why should I have an ANBU escort when I will just go to the outermost village of the country? Isn't it your over protectiveness in which I firmly disagreed to have too? And why you Neji-nii-san have the urge to say something rude to an honorable man like Uchiha-dono? Much as I hate to say this but, isn't our past is enough to remember what should be done in this kind of situation. And for you again, Naruto-sama, it is in my greatest displeasure, that you have again doubted my skills and you know that that's what I hated the most!" saying the last part louder than it was supposed to be.

The Hokage looked at her in shame while her cousin bowed even lower to hide his face. Truly as it is, Hinata is already a very good ninja, one would hesitate to ask her for a match for she is a formidable opponent. Also, her kind judgment to all things is by far greater than the Hokage, for she is a woman of wisdom.

"Gomenasai Hinata-san, but your safety must be assured. We all know that threats from Iwagakure is very high and any moment from now, they might annihilate you and that would mean we would lose one of the foundations of the country." He sighed and then saying, "We wouldn't want to lose you, you're a great friend and a great leader, and we will never make any steps that would endanger you. I wouldn't want to lose you and you know that by heart." That made the Hyuuga clan leader to blush slightly, her cousin shot his head up looking at the azure eyes of the Hokage, and for the Uchiha's face started to fill with curiosity.

"I know that Naruto, but I am capable of taking care of myself, and you know that I really appreciate your concern, but Hanabi-san is enough. She's enough to take care of…."

"How could someone can take care of you when your much stronger than her!" but before he could receive another retort from Hinata, the youngest of the Hyuugas in the room started to run with such speed that only the Sharingan could see clearly towards Naruto with chakra infused palm. She hit the thick wall instead creating a huge crack. The blonde nin widen his eyes and gulped loudly, how dare he forgot to not to say the word weak or anything of the like towards the Hyuuga brat.

"Hn. You should have learned earlier, Naruto-sama…" Hyuuga Hanabi spat wit such ferocity that all the men inside the office can't help but cringe slightly at her display.

"Come on Hanabi-hime, I... (inhales sharply) never meant to say something like that, but you know my concerns when it comes to your sister… so please forgive me..." his eyes once determined eyes shifted to a puppy looking one, fake tears started to form at the brim of it. As for Hanabi, those eyes are just one of the few that she can't help to just say no, because with those eyes is where she could see her special someone in one way.

She inhaled sharply, how she could never imagine that such fake display of tears with his genuine apology is enough for her pride to crush down that was just formerly hurt. She sighed again, and then shifted her gaze to her sister who is also expecting her agreement. Man, this crack on the wall would be the umpteenth time that the Hyuuga would pay for damaging a public place.

"Apology accepted, Hokage-sama…" she bowed but never left a hint of toxicity in her words. This made the masked Uchiha shifted his gazes through all the people inside, from the blonde towards the male Hyuuga and then the clan leader and lastly, the youngest of them all.

"So what would be your decision, Naruto-sama?" he purposefully implied at the man beside him. It's not like that he was not affected at the male Hyuuga's rants, but the Hokage's orders is just what he wanted to hear for him to act.

"You will escort the Hyuuga Clan Leader and that's final. When she's under your custody, I expect that she would be delivered from any form of harm. You must know that she's a valuable asset as a shinobi and as a clan leader. Any form of harm form her would degrade her abilities, meaning, that if ever she was harmed because of your shortcomings, it would mean death, and there would be no hesitation from or the council to punish you that. Protect her at all costs, may it be rogue ninjas or Iwa-nins that will block your way. And if ever it is necessary that she must act, always make sure that she'll stay alive with no harm. Is that clear Uchiha Sasuke?" he finalized earning a nod of agreement from the said man.

The Uchiha can't help but think why such kind of overprotective ness must rise within his brother. If the Hyuuga is really a good ninja together and he is really convinced that her sister is also one, then why does he have to escort her? Also, he remembered Sakura, the way she acted just weeks ago regarding her husband and the Hyuuga clan leader. Is it possible that the faithful Uzumaki Naruto is cheating? Maybe yes, maybe not, and he really hoped that it's the latter, or else, he can't stand to have it that way, he could kill Naruto if ever his suspicions are correct. As of now, all he could do is nod in agreement, he is the highest official in the country, and he would do as he was told, it's just a mission after all.

"But…" Neji started to ask but when he stared at the cerulean eyes of the Hokage, he calmed down. He knows that whatever he says is trustworthy. Never did he say anything that he didn't mean especially when he is serious.

"Well then, Hyuuga Neji, Hyuuga Hanabi, you're dismissed. Hinata-san, and Uchiha-san, you must remain." And with that, the two aforementioned shinobis bowed their heads low and exited the room.

"Remove your mask Sasuke." He ordered as the said man complied immediately, revealing his utterly handsome face and with that stoic mask of his own.

"Isn't that harsh, Naruto?" Hinata inquired as the Hokage inhaled deeply with closed eyes. It takes several seconds of this before he responded.

"We both know why I must do that." He clearly and firmly said, his eyes started to show some glint of sadness which the Uchiha didn't fail to see but still remained silent.

"Yes, but…"

"No buts Hina-chan." And then focus his gaze onto her pearlescent eyes, in which in turn, she nodded in understanding but the light tint of pink started to form in her cheeks. The Uchiha again didn't fail to notice, but still, he can't be hurt on what he doesn't know, but he would soon find out anyways.

"Okay then, I understood Hokage-sama. Are there any orders that you wish to give for me?" she inquired, on which made the blonde cleared his throat to give the next ones.

"Sasuke, from now on, you'll be her guardian when it comes to her visits to the outermost part of the country and outside of the country and that's or two months. Also, from this day of, you will now be classified as a regular jounin and you Hinata must not object." He looked at the two shinobis in front of him who nodded in agreement, though the Sharingan wielder could be seen that he was just forced to do so.

"Is that all Hokage-sama?" the kimono-wearing clan leader questioned again, blush still there, though winning the fight of holding it back.

"Hai. You're dismissed Hinata-san." And she bowed at the Hokage and left the room.

The blonde shinobi sit down and so as the brunette whose eyes still fixed at him. A comfortable silence envelope them within a matter of minutes, but the Uchiha, started to wonder on the last statement of his brother regarding on the changes of his duties.

"I am surprised why I have to be demoted from an ANBU captain to a regular jounin." He stated which earned a smirk from the blonde Hokage.

"You must experience what I experience too, Ani..." he simply stated while leaning his back comfortably to his office chair and raced his feet onto his table.

"Experience what you experience? Humiliation, as expected." He normally said, but that doesn't meant that the Hokage like that. He just has to find someone to tease to lighten his mood, anyways, he is Sasuke, and that's his way to do it.

"A genin team, teme. he spats, fully annoyed at what the brunette boy just said.

"I see, like the Academy would agree…" he said, his voice slightly filled with melancholy, though his mask never seem to break down.

"They already did. One of them would be Kurenai's son. The other two would be from the Nara and an orphan. So I guess, another form of hardship must be done, teme…." He chuckled at the aggravated expression of the Uchiha who looks at him, obviously telling him that he hit a nerve.

"I see when will I meet them?"

"After graduation, of course…" and with that, the Uchiha breathed normally than before, relaxed because it would be two months away before he would make his head go pounding again just because of those little brats.

A few moments later, a door knock was heard only to be found to be the Hokage's wife, none other than the pink-haired medic-nin…

"Am I not surprise, receive another mission, Sasuke-kun…" she said as she walks towards her husband who quickly welcomed her with a lip lock before she got near his table.

"Hai." He answered plainly, slightly looking away from them.

"Are you dickless too Uchiha?" another voice sprang from the background who was found to be Sai, noticing him looking away from the couple

"Oh, the none other penis-lover ANBU… haha, may I guess, you suck one again…" retorted the Uchiha which earned a glare from the artist.

"Oi, there's a female here, so stop talking shits in here. You are professional, for goodness sakes and you're still acting like kids!!" nagged the medic-nin, leaving a dangerous glare to each of them.

"A woman or a hag?" the artist purposefully inquired as he earned another copy of his face onto the ground.

"Sai, you never learn." Naruto stated between giggles, the scene is common but that's always hilarious anyway – Sakura with her monstrous strength, enough for Sai's face to be 'embed' in such a way that his face is copied on the floor, their bonding is really unusual.

"So what are your mission now, Sasuke-kun, and your motives Sai-kun?" she inquired as she sat at the seat placed in front of Naruto's table.

"Escorting Hinata."

"Mission Report."

"I see, Hinata…" whispered Sakura and smiled as if thinking of something, though there are some glint of sadness in her jaded eyes, again, this didn't pass from the Uchiha's observation and also to the former ANBU Root Member.

"Oi, got hit again by the Koori-hime?" Sai asked innocently upon seeing the huge crack on the wall, right behind Naruto's chair.

The blonde just blushed in embarrassment as Sakura looked at him trying her best to fight the urge to laugh. Sasuke smirked at the Hokage's displays who in many years of being an adult still hasn't change his childish antics when it comes to this situation.

"Come on; let me guess, you told the ice cube that she's weak, again…." Declared Sai which only made the blonde nin to blush even harder. How couldn't he, when everyone never dared to call the young Lady Hyuuga that way?

"Sai, none of your business…" retorted the Hokage and elbowed the former emotionless man in his ribs enough to make him wince in pain though there's almost no facial expression can be seen from him.

"What's so special about Hinata?" the serious voice from the Uchiha tensed the air in the room, and with that the other three ninja's stilled…

"She's the clan leader Sasuke-kun… or is there something with her that seems to be interesting for you to notice her…. Am I right Sasuke-kun?" asked the pink haired medic with the mischievous glint in her eyes, but the Uchiha remained unfazed, looking at the couple for a serious answer…

"Oh my, Sakura-koi, do you bring me lunch?" Naruto ask, while staring at his wife, and trying his best not to look at the questioning man who never left his eyes on him, bad thing is, he just only appeared to be secreting something.

"Oh, lunch?" she looks at his husband's eyes inquiringly and good news is that she is intelligent just to know what does he mean by that look so she answered quickly, "Oh, lunch! Yeah, I've decided that we just have to treat you together with Sai to the newest fast food just by the corner, anyways, we better hurry now, before it's too late!!" she enthusiastically exclaimed, only making the Uchiha, twitch in annoyance for no one answered his simple question, and being unanswered is what he hated the most.

"He's the Hokage Sakura, no need for him to hurry, don't tell me that you forgot that…." He sarcastically stated while trying to catch the almost fidgeting Naruto just keep on looking away.

"Ah, yeah!" she laughed nervously as she looked at the emotionless person leaning his back right next to the door who's just listening to their conversation uninterestingly, trying to get some irrational help from him.

"Oi, Duck Butt, stop being dickless again, shut up, let's just eat…" he nonchalantly replied while glancing quickly at the couple just to give them a cue that they should go out as soon as he left, which they hurriedly followed. He exited the room after giving the smirk at the agitated Uchiha who just kept on blinking in disbelief that he was disregarded by them and much to his dismay, he too haven't eat his lunch and just have to go with them.

He forcefully exited the room and was surprised on the other brunette boy sitting at the vacant seats for visitors of Hokage, and he's assured that he is waiting for him. He raised one elegant brow in curiosity that he's being waited with an unexpected man…..

"Uchiha." He inhaled exaggeratingly with his eyes closed, "you shouldn't pry on such things, if you don't want to create another fire again…" saying the last words with warning and disgust which made the Sharingan-wielder froze for a moment.

He inhaled sharply and tried his best to calm down, no matter how much he tried to understand this person, he still ended up to be pissing off because of his straightforward comments, he really wonders how Naruto can stand him as a teammate….

He started walking as soon as the former ANBU Root member disappeared from his sight though still curious on the overprotective ness of his brother of that young lady. He played back what just happen a while ago and tried to focus his mind on what they were formerly talking about, and Hinata's blushing face started to flashback. He soon remembered that the young lady is Naruto's secret admirer when they were genin, and that give him enough proof to think that they might have this kind of mutual understanding, romantically to be exact, since Naruto is not that dumb always and they might still have this kind of relationship until now… meaning, he could be cheating on his wife if his conclusions are correct, only thing that he wishes is that those conclusions are wrong, or else, he wouldn't know what would happen to his blond friend and more importantly to the pink haired medic nin.

Of course, he was the last one to arrive at the said fast food and was about time for the other three. He sat beside the artist which didn't even acknowledge his presence which he didn't mind by the way. He looked at the Hokage and his wife and only see love between them, so his conclusions might be wrong, but curiosity can't pass him, maybe he just have to listen to the artist for some time….

"Sai, report." Naruto commanded in his whisper-like tone who complied easily by the mentioned man.

"POSITIVE." He said at the same tone with that of his commander, while scanning their surroundings for any possibility that they were being listened to.

Same goes with Sasuke, since he knows the threats from Iwagakure which was just spilled from believable sources lurking around that village and already made an alarm for all clan leaders, councils and ANBUs and Jounins and was prohibited to spill it to the townsmen to prevent panic and unwanted pressure on both sides. They just have to talk in public just to prevent suspicions from the others that wasn't informed.

"I see percentage…" he inquired again after gulping down his second bowl of chicken noodles,

"45, 3 raise from last week, may be they thought that they won't be caught, che, stupid people, why do I have to be stuck around them?" he whines but still finding it slightly hard to express it with his face.

"I see, we just have to send more, keep an eye on them, keener if possible, maybe I'll send you a Hyuuga, he or she may help a lot. This mission would be an elevated S-class, and you would receive your mask again some time today." Nonchalantly saying it, which was in turned, agreed with a nod of understanding from the artist.

"Wouldn't it be safer to send troops rather than sending two?" the pink-haired woman asked, voice lower than usual…

"That would gain more suspicions from the other side, the only thing that we must know is why they were here, two-man team to be sent out is enough." Answered in a matter-of-factly tone by Sasuke and was agreed immediately by both men.

"I see, but I just hope they aren't after our babies, I'll never know what I could do if ever they will kidnap them…" the maternal side of the medic started to linger which also affect the three men who looks at her in determination.

"Who said that I will let that happen, Sakura-koi?" he inquired his wife and started to give him a semi- Nice Guy pose which slowly lighten up the mood of everyone.

"Don't be stupid, you can't handle them by yourself. Don't put all things in your back only, what is in your shoulders is what we have in ours…" the Uchiha spoke in less determined tone but with eyes glazing of willpower.

"Tch, Sakura, you already look like a Hag so don't act like one." Much to his dismay, he was retorted with a full punch fist and of course the anticipated humiliation from the crowd.

"Sai, Sai, Sai, who's the dickless now, we all know her brute strength…" and to his surprise, he, the last and the strongest of all Uchihas faced the floor, and that made the whole crowd of the restaurant to be flabbergasted, dumbfounded, shocked of whatever adjective of the like.

Though it didn't started a commotion, the restaurants manager shoo them away, completely forgetting that they were the Hokage's closest friend. Naruto in the other hand just let it slip off since he knows that any moment from now; they would end up troubling the whole fast food in its first week in business.

The other three seems to walk faster than usual, trying their best not to encounter any of the Uchiha's questioning, but still no matter how much they tried, they we're still being followed, especially the Hokage, who were sweating abnormally because of his glares.

The townsmen started to look at them interestingly. It's normal for them to see all fours walking but the way their Hokage walks anxiously, with those big beads of sweats almost wetting his cape is an unusual sight. They just can't pinpoint anything because overall, their team might be the best team in all Konoha, but also they are the weirdest, and of course, the hardest to understand. So, they assume that maybe, the Hokage, had once again the drive the other three into one of his not-so-stupid-ideas-of-walking-around-the-village-while-an-Uchiha-is-trying-his-best-to-start-a-conversation.

"Enough." Because one of the things that an Uchiha is tailing someone with possibly no answers on his questions. The other three came to a halt and still about-faced from him, trying their best not to turn around and look at those piercing glares of his onyx eyes.

The Uchiha walk towards them, and summon three clones to block them and keep them from running away, again.

"I just want you to…" he trailed off, trying to choose words just not to make it sound like he really wants to learn something from them.

"You want what?" the trios asked in unison, obvious that they are uncomfortable for having three shadow clones blocking their way.

"Dinner at my house, exactly 6:30 pm. ONLY THE THREE OF YOU TOGETHER WITH YOUR KIDS NARUTO" As straightforwardly as possible, and started walking away from them, leaving his team mates mouth agape on his invitation.

Sai was the first to recover, giving Naruto one of his annoying gazes and that freaking smile. Sakura was next and taps her right foot on the ground, staring at her husband like she's going to kill him any minute. Lastly, was Naruto who took a step back after realizing those glares, those stares, and those gazes from his other two team mate, and a few moments later, he was dragged back to his office just to give their never ending rants of why choosing Sasuke as Hinata's new bodyguard.


He was anxious, and a very one at that. He started to contemplate on the things that happened a while ago, how his questions are unanswered and how they act as if they were secreting something from him. Is three years of hard work not enough to gain their trust? He ask Naruto before to give him the most deadliest of all S-rank missions, that he may prove something for the shinobi corps that he's one that is trustworthy which his best friend together with council agreed immediately. Maybe at those times, he may accept those dubious looks from the people around him, but three years had passed, and those skeptic gazes was changing to soften ones, and mind to say that his fans club is coming back much to his terror.

He sat back comfortably at his sofa, feet raised up at the arm rest while he did the same for his head. He soon found his ceiling quite interesting as he take a good look of the small carvings of his clan's symbol. If he weren't to trust, then why does the majority of the council agree that he'll regain his family's wealth and possessions in just a matter of months when he came back? If he weren't to trust, why everybody does agreed for him to be one of the most potent ANBU captain in the country in which he was supposed to be as one of those lonely prisoners to death because of his acts of treasons? Maybe he regained the trust of everybody, but not theirs. Maybe he was just assured that he has somebody to come back too, but maybe they are not those 'somebody' that Naruto was talking about on their last fight. Maybe, just maybe, he hoped too much that nothing would change when the reality is that everything can't be the same, so maybe, they are the ones that can't be the same, not anymore, no matter how much his heart wished for.

He closed his eyes as he reaches for the spot that the cursed seal was once placed. He remembered the days when the former team Hebi and team Kakashi teamed up for the annihilation of Orochimaru. He clearly remembered that their kind of teamwork never failed, how their exchange of glances would mean a plan to be executed, how the synchronic hand seals move fast enough to defeat the Legendary Snake Ninja, and to think that they we're still on different teams.

He inhaled deeply, and sighed loudly, there's no time for regrets now, because he now realize again the emptiness of losing someone though in reality they look like they were always there for him. He sat up, feet touching the floor, elbows on his thighs and the back of his hands on his chin, and then closed his eyes again. Such things might not be change, but his won't – his persistence to bring their trust back, and maybe such slight changes that would lead back to their genin days will be his prize.

He stood up, today may not be the busiest day but some training wouldn't hurt anyway. He slip on his training sandals and put on his jounin vest just to signify that he was regular now. He walk out of his manor as he put another decision in mind as to where he would train, here in his own training grounds or his ANBU team training grounds. Not one of them is suitable for his mood, so maybe for now, training would be out of his mind, maybe a good walk around the neighborhood would soothe his troubled mind.


Sakura slammed his fist on the table, green eyes of fury stared at the nearly frightened azure eyes of her husband. He looked for any retorts that would come up to his mind just to give one of irrational statements of why choose the Uchiha for the Hyuuga Leader's body guard, though he really have one in his mind, one of the council's decision, but he knows that it won't work. He search for help on the eyes of the Mokuton user who just arrived but nothing came, he seek out for aids from the Cyclops who came five minutes before, but he's not the one to expect one.

"Are you dumb?! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ANYWAYS!! THERE MIGHT BE SOME OTHER NINJAS OUT THERE CAPABLE OF BEING HINATA'S BODY GUARD!!" shouted the only kunoichi in the room, as another crack was formed in his mahogany table.

"You shouldn't have done that, Naruto-kun. We all know that he's good on protecting someone but that does not mean that would be suitable for all of your cases." Stated Kakashi as he pulls his perverted book closer to his face.

"What would he think by then? Wouldn't he feel like we didn't trust him if you will not answer any of his questions?" ask Yamato as the blonde Hokage looks at them in understanding.

"You said that you don't want this to be opened again, but you give it a way." monotonously interjected by Sai.

"You don't know how guilty I am when I look at her Naruto; you don't know how I tried not to hesitate when you ask me to marry you. You don't know what the Hyuuga will and can do to you when you hurt their precious Hinata once again." She finalized as sobs started to fill the room. Naruto stand up immediately to comfort his wife as he look at the other men while considering on what he will say that nothing would change if those stories from the past would be brought back into their minds.

"Gomenasai, but that's really what I intended to do. Not to bring the past back but to give him reasons why I killed his brother. I know that even up to now, there is this part in his heart that wants answers about why I break the promise of not killing him whenever we encountered him." He retorted calmly as ever through slightly gritting teeth as a memory of the past flash back in his mind while the others nodded in understanding except for Sakura.

"If he still thinks about it, he may have spoken something about it, he may have asked you or us about it, but did he do either? No, because he accepted that fact that he's not the only one who are grief-stricken and was trying to take revenge for him, and we are one of them." She said as she pulls away from his husband's soothing hug.

"Maybe you're right and I am wrong, but still, he's my brother, I still wanted to tell him. Besides, we still needed a cure for all of these wounds, I know that Hinata is still healing; we are still healing even though it happened years ago." As he looks at them with hopes that they would agree in understanding, and they all did.

"Well, so it means we just have to face him later…." Murmured Sai as the other two older shinobis look at him questioningly

"You will meet him later?" ask Kakashi as he looks at the three for answers…

"Hai, he said that we, meaning me, Sai, and Sakura and the kids, must come to dinner." Answered Naruto, as the two stared at them in disbelief, when the hell does an Uchiha Sasuke invited someone for a fancy dinner - unbelievable – but well, he's asking something….

"Anyways, at least duck butt changed for sometime, I thought that he would remain a prick as always…"and they fit into giggles relieving the arising tension inside the room.


5:30, one hour to go before they would arrive, never did he thought that his walk would soon end up for a grocery shopping, and much to his chagrin, fan girls are really horrible, and he really wished for once that he must put in mind that he'll just cast a shadow clone and make it for his shopping. Curse his mother for being such a good looking woman, curse his father for his strong facade, because, he Sasuke Uchiha, inherited them all, and damned are all those fan girls, really, damned them all!!

He ran towards his bathroom as fast as he could, never would he let those fan girls' viruses lurk his body. He reaches for the damp towel he always had just in case such things would happen. He first wiped all those kiss marks and then reaches for a handful of liquid soap as he rubs his face hard enough for him to almost erase it. Better have no face rather than being pestered by those horrifying creatures!! Uhm, maybe not, he still wants to have a family anyways… so maybe, well, never mind the face-erasure-thing….

He walks out of his bathroom only to hear a knock from his door which reverberates on the whole manor. He looked at the clock, 5:45, too early for those three to come for dinner, and then who might be this person who have a gall to disturb him? He puts down his towel in a neat manner onto his sofa and walks to his door and opened it only to find an unexpected person – Hyuuga Hinata.

"Konban wa, Uchiha-san." greeted the fair lady with a slight bow which startled the man of whom she greeted.

"Oh, Konban wa Hyuuga-sama" he greeted back with a lower bow compared to her, blushing slightly as he side stepped for her to entrance.

"Been back from grocery, Uchiha-san?" she inquired after looking at the plastic bags of good being placed near his doorsteps.

"Hai, Hyuuga-sama." he answered briefly, not knowing why this clan leader does just come by with a purpose of meddling about his house.

"I see… it's too many…" she whispered unintentionally heard by the Uchiha…

"I have invited guests for tonight's dinner, but if it would be a nuisance for any important matters that you want to discuss with me" as he put the removed coat of the Hyuuga at its right place right beside the door. "This way to the living room, Hyuuga-sama." he said as he takes the lead to his living room which was followed closely by the Hyuuga leader.

"Would you like some tea, or a drink??" he inquired, trying not to look too much on those pearlescent eyes of her that would make him fall into another of those trance….

"Tea would be nice, since I really wonder how an Uchiha patriarch could prepare some for his visitor." she giggled like music into his ears.

"It would be my pleasure, Hyuuga-sama." as he walk towards his kitchen and made some of the things that he remembered from his mother making one of those fine jasmine tea for his father. Step by steps, he did it all too well, unexpected for a male Uchiha.

As soon as he was finished, he reaches for the teacups and the teapot, put it on a silver tray, and serves it finely for the Hyuuga to taste it. He waited for any kind of flaming from her, and unexpectedly, it was as if ignored by the maiden, and irritated him so much, thanks that he can hide not that well.

Trying to suppress his displeasure of being unacknowledged, he puts down the teapot and sit down at on of the comfy chairs and looks at the fair Leader, taking note of her features, who was still dinking he tea while with eyes closed

"It's really rude to stare, Uchiha-san." she interjected after placing her cup on the table still not looking at him but fully knows that he switches his gaze to nowhere.

"May I ask what would be the purpose of your visit here, Hyuuga-sama?" he finally asks as he looks at the Hyuuga once again eye to eye, in which he doesn't know why he can't keep his eyes off.

"Oh, yes, I came here to give you bits of advice for you Uchiha-san." and was kind enough to smile, and once again made the Uchiha to one of those blushing fits of his own, which was fortunately unseen by Hinata.

"May I ask why would you give me some advices, and to think that we are merely acquaintances only." he retorted which somehow made the Hyuuga's smile to frown slightly turning to one of those emotionless face of hers.

"Reasons that must not be stated without the permission from the Hokage, I hope you understand Uchiha-san." she answered with a hint of poignancy on her tone which goes unnoticed by the Uchiha.

"So back to your purpose, Lady Hyuuga." as he studied her features of subtlety, and somewhat displeased for being too formal, forgetting that he's the one who made her like that.

"If you have any questions that concern your being as my protector body guard, please mind to keep it all to yourself. Problems will arise if you do so. And if Naruto-sama stated you any reasons for such, then I am free to be asked." she said as he nodded and grunted in response.

Hinata stands up and once again was escorted by him to the doorstep, but before she reaches for her coat, several knocks was once again heard by both of them.

"Oi, Sasuke!! Open UP!! The Babies are heavy!!" the loud mouthed blonde's voice was overheard which made the Uchiha opened the door too quick again, forgetting that his visitor still there in his house.

They were welcomed with a mouth-gaped Hokage, a startled Sai, a curious Sakura, and overwhelmed twins shouting joyfully because of their presence, did he remembered that she's still there.

"Ah, Konban wa minna-san." greeted by the three as they waited for them to be allowed to come in.

"Konban wa." Hinata greeted with a smile, "I visited Uchiha-san for a slight conversation regarding what happened in your office, apologizing for Neji-nii-san's rudeness." she lied flawlessly which puzzled the Uchiha.

"Oi, Sasuke, stop staring at Her, let us in will ya'" interjected Naruto who ignored Hinata's explanation of her presence. They side stepped as the Hokage take the initiative to enter this house followed by the two.

"I must leave now; I still have works to do. Gomenasai for the inconvenience, Uchiha-san." She said as he puts on her coat and was about to leave when she heard the fake cough of the approaching blonde Hokage.

"Hinata-chan, it would be better if you will stay and accompany us for dinner." Flashing one of his sincerest smiles, that made the Hyuuga blush once again.

"Uhm, you see…" but then another figure approached them and didn't wait for her to finish,

"We must go now, Hinata-sama, the Elders wanted to see you, regarding Uchiha-san." Stated by none other than Neji.

"Just as I thought, you will follow me wherever I go, nii-san…" she said sarcastically and then look away from the rest of the gang. "If not for such a busy day, I would like to, but again, Naruto-kun, I must go. Thanks for the invitation anyways." changing her tone in a much friendly manner, and then leave after a nod of agreement from the others.

Naruto, soon walk towards the couch again and started playing with his kids, leaving the bewildered Uchiha beside the doorstep looking at the three companions with amusement.

"We should really prepare something Sasuke-kun, before those two started to whine in hunger." Approached Sakura as she stood up as she headed towards him, picking up the grocery bags. Sasuke, help her in turn, as he lead the way to his kitchen.


"You shouldn't have done that, Hinata-sama…" as he picked out the dango sticks from the vendor of whom they stopped by. Hinata reach out for her dango and made no reply, looking unpleased at her cousin's appearance on the Uchiha's house.

"Do you want to go home now, Hinata-sama?" he inquired again, quite aggravated on the way he is not noticed by his cousin.

"Do you want to, nii-san?" returning the question with a somber-some tone, as she munch on her dango with mild indifference.

"Do you want to talk Hinata?" dropping the honorific for a much more conversational one.

"Of course, nii-san." She said and they started to walk away from the dango shop to their favorite spot beside the waterfalls.


"YUM YUM YUM YUM!!" the twins said as they exaggeratingly slurp down for another bowl of ramen handed by their pink-haired mom who contentedly watch them having another round of ramen contest with their father and her other two best friends.

"Hey look at me!!" shouted the only lady in the house, in which all four looks at her, and with a flash, a cute picture was taken….

"You all look cute!! Especially you Sai-kun" exclaimed the kunoichi, and started on laughing out loud after seeing her teammates gulping the ramen forcibly while looking at her ferociously. Truly, Sakura's persistence of not deleting the said picture on her digital camera is just so good that the guys didn't bother her anymore.

"Just don't let anyone to see it... HAG." Sai said playfully as Sakura stuck her tongue out playfully, copied by her kids, making him more infuriated than ever.

"I PROMISE" she derisively said, and a started the game of glaring daggers that the two enjoyed doing for some time… hey… their team is the weirdest anyway…

After a few minutes, the four adults decided to clean up, from fixing the dining room to babysitting the naughty little kids till they fall asleep. This time, they all gathered into the living room, and find some time for a little chit-chat…

"So what's the catch?" the blonde asked, looking at the onyx eyes of the Uchiha and never faltering from doing so.


A/N: this is for the team kakashi...

first half of this chapter, next half... ummm kindly wait for more weeks... still got a lot of stories to update...

review!!

love y'all!!