Disclaimer of Sorts: In a perfect world I'd own all of it. But alas, this is a non perfect world where Bush has been president for the past eight years. (sigh) AKA I own NONE of it.

Note: I'm not exactly sure how this chapter is going to end up completely unfolding itself, but I hope that in the end it's fairly obvious what I am trying to portray and I hope that it's exceptable to my readers. I've also been trying to decide if I want to try to wrap this story up in not too many more chapters or if I want it to be one of those stories that just drags on for like 45 chapters. (shrugs) I dunno. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and if not...well, I hope you can forgive me for it regardless. XD

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CHAPTER SEVEN

Hinata sat in the apartment that she had once shared with Sakura. She was looking in the mirror and seemed to be very nervous. She'd barely seen Sakura since the day she told her what happened, and when she did happen to cross her path, of course, Sakura always made it a point to walk the other way. Only a few minutes ago she'd recieved a call from Shino who told her that he needed to talk to her, Sakura and Kiba about something very important at the park.

'What could it be? I wonder if Sakura will show up? Maybe she won't just because she'll know I'll be there...but what if she is there? What will I say to her?' Her mind continued to spin helplessly.

She sat there still looking at her reflection while part of her argued its points as to why she should just stay home. If Sakura did show up to the meeting it would be on account of Shino was her friend and she'd be willing to take the chance that he really did have something very important to discuss with them. It wouldn't change the look at hate and hurt in her eyes when she looked at her. The though of the look in Sakura's eyes as things sunk in after telling her the truth suddenly made Hinata's chest feel like it was being crushed in.

"Sakura...chan..." A tear escaped her.

Deciding that hiding out in the apartment forever was no way to deal with anything she finally stood up and walked out the door. She knew that she'd hurt Sakura more than words could describe and therefor knew that having Sakura hate her was probably more than a fair punishment. But at least Sakura would know that she wasn't going to hide from this. She would step up and take whatever punishment she had coming to her. After all...there's no reason she couldn't have told Kiba no.

'But then why did it really feel so much like I couldn't?' Hinata shook her head to help clear her mind and was out the door towards the street outside.

Finally she was on her way, and though inside she felt like crumbling into a little ball on the outside she stood up straight and refused to let the tears that where fighting behind her eyes to show. In a way havng Sakura constantly turn away from her and seemed to make things easier. Not having to see those eyes...those eyes...Hinata quickly shook the though from her head and forced back the tear that seemed to have snuch past her defenses. No one said that this was going to be an easy thing, but she brought it on herself and she'd face it. Upon arriving at the park she noticed that Kiba, Shino, Sakura (along with Naruto) and Kiba's parents had already shown up. She gave a quick half wave to Shino you may or may not have smiled under his coat. It was impossible to tell. Kiba seemed to be trying to keep to himself as much as possible sitting more off to the side. His parents were standing and talking quietly with Shino and Sakura was standing on the side of them opposite Kiba with Naruto at her side. Not knowing where it would be best for her Hinata sat down on the grass right where she was, somewhat close to everyone, but at the same time not being too close to anyone. Finally Shino seemed to take knowledge that all the necessary people had made themselves present.

"Hmmm...I'm a little surprised you all showed up." He exclaimed to a few sour faces. "Oh never mind that...first of all Sakura."

Sakura perked her head up just a little at being singled out. "What is it Shino?"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry that you've been hurting." He may or may not have smiled under his coat. It was, again, impossible to tell.

"Oh erm...thank you, Shino. That means a lot." She hung her head back down to look at the grass and Naruto put both hands on her shoulders.

"Now, I suppose you're all wondering why I asked you to come here today. I called you all here because I know what's been going on and quite frankly I was worried about the effect that this whole thing was going to have on my fellow team mates."

"Ah common, Shino...you know Hinata and I aren't going to let this interfere with our miss-" Kiba began but was interrupted.

"I'm not worried about either of your capabilities to perform your duties." Shino snapped, and then more calmly added "I was worried about the two of you because you have both become very dear to me much like a brother and sister over the last several years." Kiba put a hand behind his head and Hinata blushed.

After seeming to think for just a moment Shino then turned back towards Sakura who looked at him after being prompted by Naruto. "Sakura San...I'm sure it's no surprise to you that I would in my heart feel like neither Hinata nor Kiba would ever be able to do something to intentionally bring you pain." Sakura didn't say anything just turned her head slightly to the side. "I also know that right now you are feeling like what Hinata did to you is proof enough that what I think my team will or won't do means absolutely nothing."

"Shino, I konw you mean well, but what does this have to do with anything?" Naruto said. "Now don't get me wrong, I don't think Hinata or Kiba are bad people, but the fact is was it is. You can't just say that Sakura shouldn't be hurt by it because you don't think they meant to hurt her."

"I'm not saying she shouldn't be hurt by it, Naruto Kun. By all means I completely understand that she probably let Kiba off a lot easier than she should have under what she saw the circumstances as."

Kiba's parents looked at eachother and then back to Shino. Finally his mother spoke. "I um...I guess this is where we come in..."

Shino nodded, "I'm not sorry to say that my faith in my team mates caused me to feel a need to look deeper into this...even so far as to going to Kiba's parents and telling them what happened between Hinata and Kiba."

"WHAT?!" Kiba was on his feet fast and HInata could feel herself burning bright red.

"Calm down Kiba" His father chimed in. "It's a good thing Shino came to us when he did...if we hadn't known what had happened yet we..." He blushed a little and his wife took over.

"What we mean to say Kiba is...well, we should have told you this a lot sooner. It's just that honestly we didn't think it would even be an issue for a few more years based off of the other men in our family."

The two know seemed to have everyones undevided attention.

"Should have told Kiba what?' Naruto asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"The silent mating call." Both parents said in unison.

"The silent...what?" Kiba seemed to have no clue what they were talking about.

"Well...basically...it's something that's been a part of our families bloodline in order to help maintain the line. It's sort of like when animals give off a scent or a sound to find a mate only in a way we have less say in it than even the animals do."

"What are you saying Mom?" Kiba began to look confused and frustrated. "Are you trying to say that I somehow used this mating call to force myself on Hinata?! God Damnit! Does no one believe that I never meant to-"

"She's not saying you did anything, Kiba." his father interrupted. "As a matter of fact we are trying to say that you didn't do anything that you could have seen coming or prevented. The fact is...it's always been a good thing that the men in our family haven't gone through it until after they were married simply because he has no warnings of when it will first hit him and also because the effect is so overpowering that whatever female happens to be there when it happens really has literally no choice in the matter. It seems to mess with certain chemicles with the brain which in turn causes her create her own scent to be sent back to the man. I know it's probably hard to understand what we are saying."

"I know what you are saying." Naruto said. You're saying that even though Kiba and HInata knew that what was going on wasn't right that they couldn't stop...like they were trapped in some sort of spell or something."

"Well...yes, I suppose you could look at it like that."

Hinata looked up to see Kiba looking directly at her.

"So..."He began with tears in his eyes "I really didn't take advantage of my best friend?"

"No son...you really should have more faith in yourself than that" His mother said walking over and putting an arm around him. She pulled him into a hug and let him silently cry into her shoulder while everyone waited for the initial shock to die down.

Hinata felt like her world was spinning. Had she cheated on Sakura or hadn't she? Was what these people were saying really possible? Her mind was brought back when she heard a sniffle and turned to see Naruto with his arms around Sakura who seemed to be crying while looking off into space. Oh Sakura Chan...Shino also had taken notice of Naruto and Sakura and walked over to the two speaking just loud enough for eveyone to hear.

"Sakura San..." he paused long enough for her to look at him through her tears. "Just because I found a need to find some logical reason behind all of this, doesn't mean that I don't still believe that you are the one who had to get stuck in the lose lose situation. The fact is...that if you hadn't been on a mission and Kiba still came that day but lets say Hinata was out shopping and you were the only one home...well...it still would have happened, but it would have been you instead." Sakura and Kiba look briefly at eachother, blushed heavily and turned their gazes to the ground.. "Now I know that this doesn't take away the pain you're feeling because nothing will take that away, but you have to know that I know Hinata and Kiba better than they know themselves. Kiba would never intentionally do that to you or to HInata...and Hinata...well to be frank anyone in town who doesn't know how crazy she is about you is downright blind as a bat."

"What are you saying, Shino? Are you saying that I should just forget? Pretend like nothing happened? Pretend like I don't close my eyes every night and see the woman I love in Kiba's arms? God, when I just picture in my head his hands on her I just...I just feel like my whole heart is going to explode with the pain it brings!" Sakura was yelling now and made no effort to hide the tears that were falling. She turned once again to the comfort of Naruto's shoulder.

"Sakura Chan..." everyone turned at Hinata's unexpected voice including Sakura who especially hadn't expected Hinata to speak up at all during the meeting. "I won't blaim you one bit if you think this whole story is way far fetched. To be honest with you I can't help but feel that way a little myself. But if you were to ask me why I did what I did, I honestly couldn't give you an answer. The truth is nothing seemed to make sense to me like it was supposed to and then afterwords when I realized what had happened my whole universe crashed down on me. Knowing that nothing I could do would take away what just happened. Thinking about what this would do to you and Kiba...thinking about the fact that I probably lost you forever...that I have lost you forever. I won't ask you to forgive me and I know that no matter what having you aknowledge me with hate is probably a minor punishment for what you've been through, but please you have to know...that I love you Sakura. I love you so much that I will spend the rest of my life hating myself for what I've done to you." Her feet finally gave beneath her and she fell to her knees. No more sound came from her, but you could see the rapid flow of tears falling from her hung head to the grass below.

"Ahem" Shino cleared this throat. "I hate to make things worse than they already are...but I'm afraid there's more to the matter..." He turned again to Kiba's father.

The man stood there for a moment trying to gather his thoughts so as to put this the best way possible for all involved. "Well, the thing is...well you know that we told you that Kiba unknowingly did our families silent mating call, and that it's a way to help ensure that our line lives one...well um..."

His wife pipped in at his obvious nervousness to the subject. "The truth is that the mating method has always been one hundred percent accurate for as long as anyone can remember."

There was a long silence while everyone thought about what she had just said. A time bomb could have gone off in the park itself that wouldn't have caused the same reaction. Kiba seemed to be arguing with himself over the answer to an easy exam question that his other half knew had to be too simple for the equation before him.

"Wait...you can't mean that...I mean...you saying that?...I mean...Hinata...Me? Wai...wait a second!"

"I'm afraid that there's no mistaking hunny" his mother said stroking his hair. "But the fact is that based off of how things have always been in our family...there's pretty much no chance that Hinata isn't carrying your child right now."

She said it. She actually came right out and said it. You could have hit the silence with a bus and Hinata might have welcomed the distraction from the intolerable sinking feeling she had inside her. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't be. Well if Sakura didn't hate her already this would surely put her over the top. She began to panick at the thought.

"I...no...it can't be...I ...I can't..." tears began to pour from her eyes again "Pl...please...I just can't!" she sobbed.

No one seemed to know what to say to her, and no one had a chance to think about what happened next let alone blink before Sakura had closed the gap between the two of them and had her arms around the still sobbing Hinata. No one said anything as they stared at the two girls with their arms around eachother. Sakura turned her head slightly to look in Naruto's direction and he gave her a soft smile. She let a tear run down her cheek and mouthed 'Thank you, Naruto Kun' before turning again to put her head a top of the other girls.

"Shhh...shhhh...Hinata...don't worry I'm here...don't worry I'll take care of you...shhh. There there." She wispered to the other girl. Hinata looked up at her surprised.

"Sa...Sakura chan?"

"Shh..." She put her finger to Hinata's mouth. "Hinata I...I have no idea what to make of all of this. I can't help but feel like I've been cheating out of something...but the fact is you were my friend long before any of this happened and whether I think you were to blaim or not doesn't change that fact...and it also doesn't change the fact that...that I haven't stopped loving you. Not one bit, and...even if I'm wrong...I won't stand by and watch you go through this alone. So, I'll take care of you to make sure you get through this."

She stood and pulled Hinata up with her. "I think you covered everything you wanted to here?" Shino nodded. "Then I'm going to take Hinata so that Tsunade can check her out and we can confirm that she's infact pregnant." Then turning to Kiba. "You! You're coming with us. Whether this was an accident or not I'm not about to let you out of this. Now lets go." Kiba didn't argue, but quickly got up from where he currently sat and ran over to the girls.

"Hinata..." he said when he reached them. "I promise...I promise that everything will be okay..." not even he was sure of what he was saying, but right now Sakura had made it clear that Hinata needed help and that he was going to help give it whether he felt like he should or not.

"Alright, we're off then...common Hinata." Sakura said and Hinata nodded, and with that the three made their way from the park towards the center of town towards Tsunade's office.

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AN: Well, that's it for chapter 7. I'd like to apologize if it's completely lame cuz I know the idea probably sounde a lot better in my head than it actually looks when written out. In the next chapter I may try to go more into the status with Hinata and Kiba as well as Sakura and Naruto (possibly Sakura and Hinata). We'll see how it goes. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and if not...don't feel bad about lying to me and saying you did. XD