Episode 4- Shadows.

Hinata squeezed Sakura's hand in assurance as the pinkette shook in fear. To be honest, Hinata herself was a little scared. But the look on Sakura's face beckoned her to stay strong and sane. Why? Because she felt she was obligated for it. Sakura had been strong since they were kids, for Hinata and Naruto. So, now Hinata felt that it was time for her to be strong for Sakura. And as Sakura's tears threatened to spill out, Hinata brought her hands to her face and rubbed her eyes lightly. Sakura sniffed and laughed shakily. "I must look like a kid, Hinata." Hinata smiled and shook her head. "You look like a rabbit. Puffy and red." And she giggled. Something shifted in Sakura's eyes as she heard the animal's name. A memory. It triggered images that she never shared with anyone, not even Sasuke. Hinata looked at her in confusion before Sakura waved it off and chuckled. "That bad, huh?"

If someone saw him closely, they would see the flash of worry cross his eyes. But Sasuke Uchiha was a master at masking his emotions, especially when it came to times where he needed to focus on the problem, rather than the emotion. Of course, his body was calling for him to hold on to her and console her, but he did not do that. Instead he sat on the chair thinking about the best ways to handle the situation. To be frank if it was anyone else other than the duo of Hyuuga and Uzumaki, then he would have left the thinking to when Sakura had calmed down. But he had left the consoling to them, because he knew they were the ones who could best do it.

Naruto looked at the emerald eyes which were once filled with valor and determination. Now they looked broken and afraid. It wrenched his heart to see the girl who supported him throughout his days of solitude now shivering in her own troubles. And even though a part of him wanted to just sit and cry with her, he felt that he was indebted to not do that. For she had been strong for him, and now it was time for him to be strong for her. So when she asked what they planned to do now, he simply shrugged and grinned. "Kick that b******'s butt."

Hinata smiled and shook her head in nostalgia. Sakura frowned and blew her nose in a tissue. "What?" Naruto rolled his eyes and scoffed. "You know, if he comes too close I'll kick his sorry buttocks and—" Sasuke slapped his head in annoyance and spat "If you don't shut up then I'm gonna stuff that mouth of yours with my fist." Naruto glared him and raised his fist. "Why you—" Sakura glared them and stomped. Naruto gulped and stilled as the tremors from Sakura's force shook the building. Sasuke scowled and then crossed his hands. "Sorry." Hinata giggled and rubbed Sakura's back. "Sakura, you should get used to it." She spoke as the two boys glared each other. Naruto stuck his tongue at Sasuke, who sighed loudly. Sakura blinked and blushed suddenly as realized what she had done. "I keep forgetting." She mumbled and rubbed her head. Sasuke inhaled and turned to the blonde next to him. But when he saw the look in Naruto's blue eyes his own onyx orbs softened. He knew how much Sakura meant to him. A sister. Family. Friend. He had heard and seen enough in these few days. He looked at the Hyuuga and then remembered that the three were friends since they were children. He felt a little tinge of jealousy and knew that his feelings were competing with those two's. But all in all, he was assured that the three of them—he, Naruto and Hinata, would do anything to protect the girl they had come to love in this lifetime.

Sasuke cleared his throat to grab their attention. And when all three set of eyes—blues, greens and whites looked at him he spoke in an amused tone. "We need a plan." Sakura's eyes widened and her mouth fell slack. Sasuke looked at her and smirked. "Yes, I'm mad, if that's what you're thinking." Naruto laughed and scratched his head. "We all are!" And as Sakura sees Hinata's reassuring squeeze and smile, she gave them an uncertain smile. All the while thinking whether fate was giving her another chance to protect what she came to love. And with a final resolve like that of her friends she decided she would fight. Fight for those whom she loved. 'And this time I will win.'

-x-

At the outskirts of Konoha, an abandoned house stood in the middle of a clearing amongst the trees. It had been months now since anyone lived in it. But now as the dust shifted and the door opened, the house creaked in protest as light and cautious footsteps graced its floor. A pale hand switched on the lights and wandered further into the house. Running a hand through the walls and furniture, Kabuto Yakushi walked in predatorily pace. His eyes scan the door as he walks towards it. And once he pushed the door he smiled, his black orbs dilating in delight. It was a simple room, with just a bed, desk and a cupboard. But as he lay down the bed, he sniffed and smiled. It still had her scent in it. He grins as he stands up and makes his way to the cupboard. Opening the wooden doors he finds an old yukata and a picture. They both look unimportant for the ex-inhabitant. But for him they were priceless. Sniffing at the yukata and chuckling he whispered to himself. "She was here." Kabuto smiled as he threw the yukata back in the cupboard and then looked at the photo. It was close up and blurred picture of Sakura but he could make out the curves and outlines of her features. Especially her eyes. Green and full of life. Her name escaped from his lips as his eyes flashed red. "I'm coming for you, Sakura."

-x-

Kakashi bowed as he saw the old man in front of him. "Sir, there's something you need to know." Sarutobi nods and smiles, before he asks his bodyguard to sit. Kakashi raised his eyebrows as the Hokage took a long drag of his cigar. "What is it?" Sarutobi asked him through the smoke. Kakashi closed his eyes (although it looked like he just closed one eye) and sighed. "Kabuto Yakushi escaped from Konoha prison, sir." Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and scowled. "Yakushi? The boy who tried to kill Sakura?" "And successfully killed her parents." Kakashi nodded and added. Sarutobi sighed in annoyance and rubbed his eyes. "How?"

Kakashi shook his head and tapped his fingers on his lap. "We don't know yet. I've got some chuunins working on it. Ibiki is pissed. He's never had a convict escape before." Sarutobi inhaled and nodded. His mind buzzed with a number of possibilities and dangers. "Sir, should I—" "Who has she gotten close to?" Kakashi blinked and scratched his chin. "Ah, Naruto, Hinata and Sasuke. Lady Tsunade has been keeping her close too." Tsunade's master, ex, nodded. His eyes lost sight of what was in front of him as he fell in deep thought. Sarutobi took a whiff of his cigar and asked in a monotonous tone, "Does she know?" Kakashi raised his eyebrow and nodded. "Sakura? Yes. Lady Tsunade told her." Sarutobi looked at him and then a picture frame on his wall. A younger Tsunade, a white haired frowning boy and a skinny boy with pale complexion stood in it with Sarutobi's middle aged self. A moment of silence passed between the two. Kakashi sighed and got up. "So what should I do?" Sarutobi turned his chair to the window and calmly spoke "Let the events reveal themselves."

-x-

Tenten walked in anticipation as she reread the poster on her hand. It was an appealing offer. At first she had chosen to ignore it, but then when she saw her rations dwindling down she decided otherwise. "Fifty percent off on all items sounds good." She mumbled frowning as passersby eyed her in curiosity. She had just entered the shop when bumped into her. Her long black tresses shining and hands full with white plastic bags. "Hinata?" The said girl looked at her and smiled. "Tenten. Hello!" Tenten grinned and scratched her cheek. From the corner of her eyes she saw a boy gulp and divert his eyes. She recognized him as the one who had been ogling her before. She almost groaned as she realized that he had gulped because Hinata was with her. Even if the Hyuuga girl was popular among boys they still rarely crossed her because of her brother. Neji. A name which almost brought tears to Tenten's eyes. "Ah, so where have you been these days?" she asked in an almost bored tone. Hinata blinked as she caught the undermined sadness. She had heard about her and Neji's fight. "Umm, with Sakura. I mean mostly. I've been helping her with the settling." She spoke as a sad smile crept up her face at the mention of the girl. Tenten blinked as she remembered the pink haired girl. "Sakura? Oh." She frowned. She remembered her from when they were kids, but she wasn't much close to her. In fact till now she had just a few face to face conversations. An unusual thing because Tenten had found her cool. She sighed as she blamed it on fate. Hinata braced herself mentally as she saw Tenten blush. "Umm, Hinata, how's Neji?" Tenten asked trying to sound indifferent. Hinata looked down and shook her head. "Not good. I've never seen my brother so…" She tried to look for the word. "…uninterested in the world." Tenten scrunched up her face in confusion, making Hinata giggle. Then she remembered, her brown eyes narrowing in guilt. He was the kind of man who would act unimpressed but will constantly look at all things in a curious gaze.

Anger took over guilt as she remembered their conversation from before. "Ugh!" She threw her hands over her head and scoffed. "Anyways, tell your brother to man up. Or else I will move on." Hinata looked at her and giggled, remembering the look on her cousin's face whenever Tenten would be approached by any other guy. "Better stay away from guys though. He won't like if you, you know…" Hinata trails off with a smile. Tenten scoffed and puffed her cheeks. "Why would I care?"

-x-

Ino sat alone in the cafe as a sigh escaped her lips. She looked at her phone and then the coffee in front of her which had gone cold. Her eyes lit up as they landed on a black haired boy coming her way. And as he sat across her she pouted. "You are late!" The black haired boy smiled and kissed her cheek, earning a blush from her. "Sorry. The class was extended at the end time." Ino sighed and nodded, eyeing his face. She admired his eyes—black and small, matching greatly with his fair (almost pale) complexion. The boy looked at her and smiled again, pushing a small blue box towards her. The colour matched with those of her eyes. Ino blushed and took it in her hands. "Sai, what's this?" The boy, Sai, placed his head over his hand and spoke. "Open it." Ino gulped and opened the box, before gasping at its content. "Sai! This is beautiful." Sai chuckled and nodded. "Glad you like it." Ino blushed as she eyed the pendant inside. It was shaped like a paint brush. "Should I?" He asked her through a cautious glance. Ino blushed a deeper shade as he put the pendant around her neck. She gasps as it shines. "Oh, it's so beautiful." He smiled again and kissed her cheek. "Not more than you, beautiful." She smiled and poked his chest. "You'll spoil me." Sai grabbed her hand and smiled. "Ino. Do you think you can marry me someday?" Ino blushed at the blunt way he put the question, before answering in a feeble tone. "Yes." Because she,Ino Yamanaka, was in love with this boy.

They spent the rest of the day together, in his house where he would draw a sketch or two, while she would look at his face. He knew she was looking and he knew she was smitten with him. It was nice to be wanted, he thought as she lay on his bed. But truth to be told he was also afraid that she would leave him. After all, he did not think his decisions were that wise either. His eyes flitted to her sleeping form and then back to the sketchbook. With a final stroke, he smiled as he wrote in big letters under the sketch of the girl who slept before him—Love.

Ino woke up to the sound of muffled sounds. She blinked and reached out to the far end of the bed. It was empty. She got up and walked quietly. And as she reached the door, it became clear that the muffled sounds belonged to her boyfriend. He was talking on the phone but a soft song was playing too. Ino tried focusing on Sai's voice than the song.

*Don't you dare look out your window, darling everything's on fire. The war outside our door keeps raging on.

"Yes sir. I'll see what I can do. Yes, sure. I look forward to it." Sai smiled as he cut the phone and placed it on the table. In the background, the song kept on playing.

Hold onto this lullaby. Even when the music's gone. Gone.

He turned to see Ino standing with a confused look on her face. She blushed as he smiled and poked her nose. "You're awake?" He asks, his hidden uncertainty unnoticed by her. Ino nodded and looked at him in confusion. "What was that about?" Sai tilted his head and thought for a while, before smiling and kissing her lips. "Our future."

If Ino had just stayed there a minute late, she would have noticed Sai's smile drop and his fists tightening after she turned. And she would have heard him mumble to the lyrics of the song.

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright; no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I will be safe and sound.

-x-

*The song is Safe and sound by Taylor Swift.
Yay! I finished another. How was it? I must say it was hard to write Ino and Sai's part. I didn't have much to work out with. I mean even in Sakura Hiden, Ino keeps fumbling around him and nothing more. What a drag! *winks* But I like the couple.
Please rate and review!
~NLP