AN: Enjoy the story. Sorry about the delay but I've been having some log in problems with the site I don't know if its just me or I guess maybe the site. Anyway that doesn't matter, I had a really hard but enjoyable time writing this chapter as I felt that I needed to push the couple a bit. I've been trying to keep the characters as non OOC as I can. It's a bit hard when one of your main characters is no longer living so to speak and hasn't really had much chances to show his personality. Listen to me babble on… Please enjoy the story and support me by reading and reviewing so I can tell my story better with your help!

Usual disclaimer I own nothing.

The air was unmistakably chilly; the only sounds he could hear were that of the leaves rustling in the wind and the weeping of one Hyuuga heiress hovering over him trying desperately to heal him with her chakara.

He lay there with a large gaping wound to the left shoulder blade just slightly above the delt muscle which he was sure had a significant tear in it. There was no pain only an annoying stinging sensation. Why was she crying? Hadn't she ever seen a wounded person… no it can't be that wasn't right she worked in the hospital, so why was she crying now? Itachi's mind was struggling to find an answer as he noticed that her hands were trembling, her petite fingers not finding a way to stabilize the bleeding.

He shifted himself slightly forward on the tree bark he was slumped over and grabbed her hands with his, her face betraying her surprise, he guided her hands with his towards the bleeding area clutching at it as he transferred his chakara into his own wound through her hands. The softness of her touch once again questioned her status as a shinobi in his mind, her slender fingers covering his wound as he could feel the back of her knuckles on his calloused palm. He closed his eyes slowly as the pain started to dissipate, and started to recall how he had gotten into this position in the first place.

Location Konohagakure Hokage Office

"Come in." commanded Tsunade.

Itachi walked in silently sensing the irritation in his village leader's voice. It was known that she had a temper and although he hadn't been at the receiving end of it he had seen her lash out on many an occasion. "Good afternoon Hokage-sama." Itachi greeted politely offering a respectful low bow.

"It is now that I get to look at something nice," Winked Tsunade causing Itachi to shift sloightly. He had noticed since his transfer to the reserves Tsunade had been more publicly flirtatious with him, which he didn't mind since it was pretty much par for course for the Sannin but caused his mother irritation like no other.

"You summoned me Hokage-sama, what may I do for you?" he enquired looking at her cluttered desk full of paperwork and medical texts.

You could do many things…she thought slyly then shook her head of such thoughts as Mikoto's image flashed in her mind, "I want you to do a simple D rank mission. Not usually what I would send you on but I thought you might like to get out for once," She turned a white sheet of rice paper folded it, placed it in a manilla envelope and promptly stamped it with the seal of the hokage. She continued as she waited for the wax to finish cooling, "I need you to deliver this very…erm important message to Kirigakure in the land of water to the Godaime."

"I accept, when do you wish me to depart."

"In two hours from now, but this isn't a solo mission Ita-chan."

"I am partnered with someone?" Itachi questioned slightly irritated by the Hokage's use of a name only his mother would call him.

"Yes I'm sending you in with a rookie medic, she could use the experience that you have and I want you to guide her whilst on the mission. Since it's a low rank I doubt you'll run into anything serious so it's the perfect opportunity for you to share some expertise with her."

"Hokage-sama with all due respect I do not have any medic experience, and I am not a reliable teacher." He said as he thought back to the numerous times when he and Sasuke would set up plans to train only for him to withdraw at the last minute due to some ANBU mission.

"Oh please don't be so modest," she exclaimed waving her hand as she inspected the envelope. "I know you are already a qualified medic nin I have seen your files, you graduated top of your class by a clear margin of 35 points over everyone else."

"I apologise for my earlier remark Hokage-sama. I will teach the best I can." He said slightly sighing internally. He hadn't really been on a team mission since he turned eighteen, so he wasn't used to having to rely on someone to cover him and vice versa there was a reason why most of the underground assassin world cowered in fear when his name was spoken. He would usually finish targets before they even knew they were dead, and leave just as silently as he had come.

"You are dismissed; your partner will be waiting for you in two hours at the front gates." Tsunade spoke not looking at him as she threw the envelope at him which he caught between his index fingers, nodded in understanding and vanished.

Tsunade shuddered as she sensed Itachi's chakara disappear. Little did he know that this mission was just a farce, the product of a losing bet with that lecherous Terumi Mei. The long ashburn haired Kage wanted to have a day with Itachi as the prize for winning…cheating Tsunade thought as she reassured herself of her gambling skills. She could only imagine what the recently appointed Mizukage had in mind for the Uchiha; knowing her dirty mind nothing good would come of it, which is exactly why she had sent him with a partner to keep an eye on the perverted Kage.

Itachi was actually looking forward to a D rank mission, he hadn't been doing anything remotely challenging over the past few days, even sparring against Kakashi and Naruto at the same time proved to be a little challenge. He had noticed that since the change in his eyes he had perfect vision and aside from the problem of the Sharingan not deactivating he was more robust that ever. The only fatal complication he was forewarned was that if he did run out of stamina with his new eyes he would not have a good chance of survival since even for him the Sharingan's endurance requirement was taxing.

He walked home it was an uneventful journey for some reason the villagers had been avoiding him, nor could he blame them having an Uchiha walking around with the Sharingan activated like it was ready for combat wasn't the best of options whilst in a relatively peaceful village.

"I'm home." He announced as he placed his sandals at the entrance.

"Welcome home, Itachi-sama," greeted an elderly blonde haired maid.

"Hello Hirumi-san is any of my family at home?"

"None Itachi-sama, your father and mother are dining with the Hyuuga clan leader and your brother is out with his friends."

"Thank you can you please tell my family that I shall not be here for the next few days, I am assigned to a mission by the Hokage-sama."

"I shall…Itachi-sama would you like to eat before you leave?"

"No I am fine, thank you for asking, I have to leave now so please take care of yourself and the house." With that he bowed and left the maid commenting on his politeness.

I wonder who my partner is… he thought as he waited sitting on top of a rock a half an hour early just scanning the village infront of him, his crimson eyes painting every detail vividly.

He heard some murmuring behind him, sounds of soft footsteps on grass tearing him away from the view as his eyes gazed at Hyuuga Hinata who was carrying provisions a small medical satchel…medical satchel…medi…no it can't be His mind linking the evidence infront of him and piecing together the final product.

"H-hello Itachi-san," Greeted a nervous Hinata. She hadn't seen or heard from him since the fateful day at the café which was two days ago, some part of her heart was still heavy as she imagined the worst…maybe he forgot or doesn't really want to see me she sighed internally, but her face was still displaying her false smile she had practised since her mother's passing away.

"How are you Hyuuga-san?" he enquired in a flat tone.

"I am fine thank you, what are you doing out here Uchiha-san?"

"I am waiting for my mission partner… which judging from your attire and equipment is you." He stated pointing at her bag.

"I-I didn't k-know you were h-here for a m-mission too U-Uchiha-san." She said as she looked down at the grassy surface of the path.

"It seems we are partnered up Hyuuga-san"

"Y-yes lets do our best!" she exclaimed as she punched the air earning a raised eye brown from the raven haired shinobi.

Itachi stood up nodded and walked towards the gates, turned around and motioned for Hinata to follow as they both walked towards the land of water.

Location North from Konohagakure Towards the Land of Water

Hinata's mind was nowhere on the mission she had been told that she would have to support during the mission, but this was a D rank and there was no way that any grave danger would surface it was a simple delivery mission. A mission such as this was usually given to young nins in training fresh out of the academy and here she was with one of the and even arguably the strongest ninja in the village. She shielded her eyes from the bright sun that was looming over them; her mind was racing fast, her heart skipping beats as she stole glances at Itachi. Imagining what it would feel like to touch his hair which had been longer than she had last seen him, is it even possible for someone's hair to even grow that…fast she thought as Itachi's voice shook her from her thoughts.

"Would you like to rest here for a bit Hyuuga-san?" he asked as he spun his head around to look at the young female following him, "Your face looks a bit red I wouldn't want you to suffer from a heat stroke before we reach our destination."

Hinata was overwhelmed by his concern for her, it could be that he doesn't want to fail the mission but he really really cares for me…she thought as she started to poke her indexes together. She was feeling a bit ill; she had skipped out on breakfast and had a rather restless night the main cause of her unrest standing infront of her. "Y-es Uchiha-san I think it would be a good idea a-also." She replied in the positive giving him a small smile.

They both sat at the base of an oak tree amidst the forest in a small clearing just large enough for two people maybe three if the latter was a child. She was sitting mere inches away from him his shoulders almost touching her, surprisingly enough he wasn't trying to move or show any emotion.

"Hyuuga-san, you may call me by my first name if you wish… we have known each other long enough now."

"Y-yes…p-please call me Hinata also…" she replied a bit shaken by his sudden request. It was well known that no one called him by his first name besides his family, the Hokage and some select individuals.

"As you wish Hinata-san."

The sound of her name from his mouth felt just right to her, she hadn't spoken to him in private where it was just the two of them. This is my chance! She spoke to herself as she thought of questions to ask the Sharingan wielding heir.

"Ermmm…Itachi-san, I am sorry for having your mother force you into that date." She said getting straight to the point she could sense the air still not being cleared and that was why he didn't get back to her.

"I was not forced to do anything Hinata-san, I have free time and my clan does wish me to pursue more…how should I put this social interaction with females."

"O-oh." She replied as her head sunk lower, it hit her hard that he only did it because he was being forced indirectly by his clan, she wasn't someone that would fit his high calibre anyway he was more or less untouchable and she well… Hinata couldn't think of anything at this point as she could feel her heart collapsing this familiar feeling resurfaced when she last saw Naruto with Sakura at a Chunin gathering.

"Stop it."

"E-excuse m-me?" she asked as her head shot up only to meet his blood red eyes swirling around the iris.

"Stop whatever incorrect thoughts you have in your head this moment." He said sternly. "I didn't choose you just because you were there or I was forced, such nonsensical thoughts are below you Hinata-san."

"I-I-I," she spoke stuttering incoherently thinking maybe the Sharingan gave him the power to read her mind.

Itachi now gave her his full undivided attention, "You are a strange one…you have the potential to be a great person. I have yet to meet someone who has far greater compassion for life than someone such as yourself, I find you funny at times and above all I am interested in you…Hinana-chan." He spoke as he did something very uncharacteristic for the eldest Uchiha heir he reached out to cup her reddening cheek, his palm heated up at the contact with her unnaturally white skin.

Hinata was so close to fainting but her sheer will power keeping her stable…well that and the need to not look weak infront of Itachi again…and he called me Hinata-chan! She squealed in her mind at the passionate choice of suffix to her name, why did this feel so right… how come I am afraid…why should I be afraid of him?

Hinata placed her own hand on his leaning her face closer, her soft palm resting on his hand as she rubbed his hand a bit gaining a rare blush from Itachi. The air around suddenly got heavier, the noises of nature around them faded away for this moment in time they were the only two people in the forest.

"Itachi-san…" she spoke her voice heavy and filled with sadness as she closed her eyes, "I've…loved before and I've l-lost…I-I'm afraid t-that I will be hear-rt broken a-again"

Itachi was surprised to say the least, her voice seemed so burdened…Were the Hyuuga even supposed to have such emotions? His mind enquired as he felt something wet underneath his palm on her cheek. A stray tear flowed down her impeccable face.

Hinata felt bare infront of him, here she was emptying her heart to someone who she was sure was way above her level, He must think I'm really weak but I can't help it my heart really really hurts right now I…! Her thoughts cut off as she felt her body pulled towards him, his chin resting above her head, his breathing slow…she could feel his heart beating steadily in contrast her heart rate was galloping at a frightening pace. His masculine smell invading her senses, her mind as he spoke in a dark tone.

"Hinata… I promise you that if you accept me I will spoil you so badly you will never remember any heartbreak ever again." His voice laced with emotion as he shifted her so he could look into her pearl white eyes.

Hinata was dumbstruck, Itachi seemed so human right now far from the legendary killing machine the village had made him out to be. He seemed caring and for some reason she felt he was taking a big risk showing her this vulnerable side to him.

Her face was red her eyes swelling up from the tears, as Itachi stared into her opaque eyes as he got closer to her. His face watching in amusement as she blushed an even deeper colour of red than his eyes.

Their lips meet in a gentle exchange, her eyes shut as his lips gently brushed past hers. His free hand lifting her chin to deepen the kiss, Hinata was now in an absolutely blissful state her inexperience showed as she clumsily returned the kiss, accidentally flicking her tongue against his front teeth as if to request entrance. Which Itachi took as a sign of acceptance and allowed her to enter his mouth, her wet tongue entwining with his as she muffed an inaudible sigh of content into his mouth. Her mouth felt so soft and smooth to Itachi he had never experienced such pleasure in a simple kiss, Itachi gently guided her tongue back into her mouth as he flicked the roof of her mouth feeling her shudder at the motion.

They both broke for air as Hinata opened her eyes panting fast and hard. She realized suddenly that Itachi's eyes had never closed nor left her face. As if sensing her confusion he smiled, "I wanted to engrave every last detail of you into my memory."

"I-Itachi-san y-your really m-mean,"

"I know." He replied smiling as his facial features expanded making him seem almost serene.

Hinata's heart was thumping loudly like a war drum she was sure that if he could he would hear it, his face was still in close proximity to hers and she could still feel his taste in her mouth. Her stomach was empty her mind blank save for thoughts of Itachi…was this how it felt to want someone and in turn to be wanted back by them? She thought as Itachi spoke leaning close enough to touch her nose.

"Hinata…you are very… delicious," he spoke in a sexy tone the latter part of the sentence causing her to tense up as he leaned right on her face and placed a trail of gentle butterfly kisses from her cheek to her collar bone, she unconsciously titled her head as she closed her eyes in bliss allowing him access to her neck. He kissed her right below her ear scraping the top edges of his canines as he went lower towards her shoulder earning a soft moan from her. He gently pushed some of her silky hair which strangely smelt like fresh strawberries, to reach slightly behind her shoulder.

"I-Itachi…I-I have n-n *moan* n-o e-experience i-i-n things like this," she rasped between moans audibly enjoying what the older shinobi was making her feel, her hands now locked in his raven mane as she buried her fingers into his hair.

Itachi sucked at her lower neck a bit, and with a popping sound he leaned off her viewing the mark he had left as he spoke, "I wouldn't dream of doing anything you are not comfortable with Hinata-chan, besides you were the one moaning, I couldn't help myself. Hearing your cute voice was too much even for me." Hinata was shocked as she opened her mouth as he captured it with a quick kiss.

"Y-You really are m-mean Itachi-kun!" she exclaimed as she was disappointed that he left her mouth so quickly.

"We can't continue anyway, we are still on a mission, besides I respect you too much to try anything."

Hinata smiled at the sincerity in his voice, if it were possible she felt that if she wasn't in love before she had fallen for him even more now, like a bird that flew too close to the sun she had fallen for him…she didn't care if she got burned she would endure it only to be with him.

"I will apologise for doing that however I realise it was too fas…" his voice cut off as Hinata's slender fingers reached to his mouth her soft touch effectively cutting him off.

"N-no I w-wanted you to…I am g-glad my first k-k*blush* kiss was with you."

Itachi could hardly believe it, he had thought she would atleast have had a boyfriend in the past, or atleast kissed she was the same age as his brother and well Sasuke was more knowledgeable in these things than her…perhaps she hadn't been on seduction missions he thought as he held her hand away from his mouth and spoke, "I am glad…however I do not apologise for what I am about to do next."

"H-Huh!" exclaimed Hinata as he engulfed her in a tight hug. Her heart leapt as she returned the embrace enjoying every second of it. The forest suddenly came back to life as the noises of the insects; the gentle breeze and the wildlife came back disturbing the private universe they had been in for the last few moments.

She felt Itachi tense up as he left her embrace, leaving her confused and disorientated. He spoke silently placing a hand covering her mouth "Prepare yourself Hinata-chan we have four unknown shinobi heading for our direct location."

Hinata activated her Byakugan and scanned the surrounding area as Itachi's eyes never left the direction he was looking at his tomoe spinning faster, and sure enough speeding towards them were four shinobi clad in all black assassin gear.

"What do we do Itachi-san?" she asked as she reached for her medic bag and checked the inventory.

"Simple we wait and see if they will pass or are hostile, if the latter we intercept and take the best course of action."

The three sound ninja were rushing toward the land of the water to get to the village hidden in the mist. When one of them overheard some rustling in the trees their orders were to take out anyone who saw them as this was a completely covert mission. It wasn't long before they sensed two chakaras one male the other female, a couple maybe too bad it was their misfortune that today they would both have to die atleast they would go together.

They surrounded the tall male and one of the shinobi snickered at the cowering female behind him. "It's a shame you are here," one of the Assassins laughed, "we are going to send you and your girlfriend to hell itself."

"Hey Twelve isn't that the Sharingan in that kid's eyes," spoke the shorter of the four.

"You're right Thirteen and this girl here has the Byakugan, wow! Hey we must be in luck cause we have here the two rarest Kekkei Genkai landing right in to our lap!" shouted the shinobi who was referred to as twelve.

"Heh they look so weak, we don't need all of us here, I'll carry on with the mission you guys can catch up to me later." A female voice spoke as one of the assassins sped off.

"Whatever the less there are means the more for me, hey kids I'm Ten and I'll gladly be taking your eyes back to our boss," gruffed one of the large built shinobi.

Itachi weighed his options carefully he could take them all out if he wanted but the man variable to this fight was right behind him. He had to make sure that three things happened; one the safety of any and all comrades, two the extermination of all enemies to Konoha and lastly the extraction of information from said enemies. The only complication now was how Hinata would play her part in this battle, he had some doubts on her fighting ability already since their last spar and he already knew his presence probably would hinder her capabilities.

"Hyuuga-san, are you fit to engage in combat?" he enquired using her last name so as to not give anyway her status.

"Y-yes Uchiha-san I am," Came the reply as she shifted to stand side by him ready to take on the combatants eyeing them down.

"DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!" shouted Ten, "You're nothing but two punk kids, you think you can defeat us Sound nin!"

"Hey great going there genius might as well tell them your real name and address while you are at it," laughed Twelve.

Knowing they were the nin from Orochimaru's old village changed everything he needed one alive or atleast in a state where he could extract information.

"Forget this nonsense lets just get it over and done with," said Ten as he removed kunai and got ready to aim them at the Konoha nin.

With a flash the two others jumped at them, Itachi immediately the target of both Thirteen and Twelve as he dodged a kick and parried a punch straight to his face.

Hinata leapt into the air to dodge the incoming kunai and thre back a kunai of her own at the owner of the offending weapon, Ten laughed as he deflected it and delivered a roundhouse to her stomach sending her falling towards the tree where she had shared her first intimate moment with Itachi.

Itachi heard her cry but knew that at the end of the day he had to trust in her abilities as his hands were full at the moment. Underneath his right sleeve he shot a black mamba snake to constrict one of the Nin he remembered called Thirteen. He swiftly turned around as the other ninja make some hand signals and shot a blast of sound vibrations from his hands straight at Itachi, not good… he thought as he spun at the last minute watching the bark of a nearby tree shattering into tiny pieces.

Hinata was slightly dazed as the impact of the fall had hit her a little above her torso, the attacker was now directly above her. Her jacket was also slightly torn revealing some of her cleavage causing Ten to gaze indecently at her chest, as if on reaction she put her arm on her chest in disgust.

"Hey guys, this one is quite the looker, I say we keep her alive for fun later," he shouted to his companions eyes still trained on Hinata.

"BYAKUGAN!" screamed Hinata signally the activation of her bloodline her eyes immediately expanded slightly, veins bulging with enhanced chakara coursing rapidly to her eyes as she saw a full 360 degree of vision around her and her opponents chakara pathway.

Itachi looked at her with the Sharingan sensing the increase of chakara in her system he smiled as now he could finish playing with his opponents.

"Hey pay attention fool!" shouted the irritated sound nin.

"I will give you one chance to surrender," Itachi spoke calmly.

"Ok," Said Thirteen laughing, "No I don't think so kid."

Sighing Itachi took out his Katana and steadied it infront of him. Took off in the direction of Thirteen the sound nin's head slowly sliding off his neck as a mountain of blood erupted from his now headless body, causing Twelve to scream out in disgust as some of his comrades blood hit him.

"U-uchiha-san…" Hinata spoke silently as she witnessed Itachi in his element.

"Hey bitch! I'm still here!" shouted Ten as he impaled her with a kunai laughing at her scream.

Itachi watched as Ten impaled Hinata on her forearm disabling her left arm, thankfully he had missed any vital organs. I have to finish this and finish it fast he spoke to himself as he saw Ten reading his large knife to take out a wide eyed Hinata.

In a split second the knife was speeding straight for Hinata's head but all it found was Itachi's shoulder as he took the hit for Hinata his other shoulder against her chest as he stood directly between the two. "I-Itachi…"He heard as he faced a teary eyed Hinata knife still logged about seven inches deep in his delt.

She said his name, that meant only one thing none of the attackers would survive now that they knew who he was, he could see from the corner of his eye one of them was getting ready to retreat. "Hinata close your eyes and do not open them till I say so." He commanded her as he observed her obediently covering her eyes with her hands.

"Now gentlemen," he spoke turning to the two shocked nin, "Where were we?"

The sound nin had heard of the name Uchiha Itachi they had to leave now and they had to do it fast, unfortunately for them they weren't staring into the eyes of the Sharingan but someone entirely different. Itachi's eyes changed once again the once three tomoe spinning in his eyes changed to that of a pentagonal shape with three claw shaped appendages all forming a triangular shape. The right pentagram spinning anticlockwise a contrast to his left which spun clockwise, they watched in horror as he silently whispered, "Tsukiyomi."

Hinata was scared not of the sound nin but of what Itachi would do to them, just because he had allowed her a moment of weakness didn't mean he wasn't the ANBU he ranked as. She had known ANBU to be ruthless and wouldn't stop till either their target was dead or they were. She suddenly heard blood cuddling screams and two loud thumps. She was shivering at this point her mind only on Itachi and the fear that he might have no survived.

"Hinata-chan… Open your eyes," Itachi spoke gently as he brushed some of her hair out of the way.

She moved her hands away and opened her eyes as white eyes meet with those warm crimson ones of his, she couldn't help but throw herself at him in a tight hug which ended before it began as Itachi stopped her signaling at the Knife still lodged in his shoulder.

Not even looking at the dismembered sound nin behind him, she lead him to a tree bark and began to work on removing the foreign item from his body and healing his wound.

Itachi was amused at her actions as he could tell she was nervous at touching him, even though they shared a kiss before. What a strange girl he thought as he readied himself for the pain that was sure follow as Hinata nodded and swiftly removed the knife.

"I-I am sorry Itachi-san you w-were hurt because of m-me," she shakly said as she applied some of her chakara to stop the bleeding.

"No I wasn't I was hurt because of my own actions… and I regret none of them." He said gently offering her a reassuring smile.

Hinata smiled brightly at his statement, he had a way of making her feel better about everything and most importantly about herself something she hadn't felt since Naruto rejected her. Funnily enough that space that once housed Naruto in her heart was quickly being replaced by the Uchiha infront of her. Hinata was truly happy, and the tears that flowed down her face were proof of her joy at being wanted for once.

"Hinata, here let me help you," Itachi spoke as he placed his hands over her, "Then we rest for the night and continue our mission tomorrow."

"Y-yes," Hinata said as she tensed at his touch. This day has been one of the best in a very long time she thought as the feelings of heartbreak as he promised were slowly being expelled from her heart.