*Warning: This chapter is introducing new pairing- Konohamaru X Hanabi* Extra-long for a reason

The Nutty Lover

Chap10 Dark Secrets Unveiled Part I

You are an enchanting sunflower,
with thousand rays of light…
With beauty that makes me wonder,
You are the very source of my delight…

Previously on chapter 9:

Sakura inhaled slowly and exhaled loudly, gulping down the hard lump, she stared at Ino and said calmly, "Ino… I know this is weird for me to be asking you but… I have to know something…"

"Sakura, what are you saying?" Ino asked puzzled with the way the Haruno was speaking.

Sakura placed her hand on top of the blonde's hands and said, "I think… I know what's wrong with you Ino…"

The rising tension in the air never ceased to calm as the Hyuuga and the Uchiha stared at each other intensely never blinking, neither backing down, they remained rooted strongly to their glaring contest. The referees should be Minato and his son; the two couldn't even calm the angry contestants down. This has been continuing for a while now, Naruto was nervous if at all, he managed to yank Sasuke away from attacking Hiashi just a while ago. Deep within his mind, he somehow knew that his best friend would soon react and do something rash. It didn't occur to him at all that it would be happening this early. But it's not like he was actually anticipating this to happen, it was much to a sense of dreading it to happen. He could only wish that this would end as soon as it started.

Naruto gulped the hard lump down in his throat, the Uzumaki was sweating profusely as he glanced nervously at his father, Hiashi and his best friend. He didn't know what happened between these two, but from the way it turned out, he could already guess it was something bad.

'Wow, it's like the two of them are dueling or something… how do I do this? AH! Yeah!' Naruto was confused, he was unsure about it but he thought of an idea to calm those two and tried it.

"A… hey Sasuke, I think you're tired… you should get some rest buddy… H-Hiashi-sama please don't take that in mind… Sasuke's kind of not in his right mind… haha" a cold sweat cascaded down his temple as the Uzumaki tried to laugh it off awkwardly.

Naruto tried to ease the Uchiha's and the Hyuuga's anger towards each other, but failed miserably since Hiashi never acknowledged his attempt at maintaining the peace, 'aha… I bet it's not working huh…' he rubbed the back of his head nervously.

The man shivered when a cold glare of coal black eyes with a malicious bloody red glint was directed towards him with a 'Shut the f*** up' look, from the Uchiha.

'God… what's with this guy? How did it turn out this way? It is strange enough that he is holding it back as much…' Naruto's mind was in a chaos as he darted his sky blue orbs repeatedly from Sasuke to Hiashi and back to Sasuke.

'geez… this is not gonna be good' the Uzumaki mused.

Strong wave of pain circulated in his head, further corroding his already foul mood. His ears were buzzing with a weird noise and he felt his body was weak as if he hadn't taken food for seven days straight- which was indeed true. His whole body was sore as if he was beaten for hours. His muscles were aching all over, lifting them would stimulate even more pain to the action, yet, he was overwhelmed by sheer anger that the Uchiha reacted at will. He didn't know what took over him; the next minute after hearing Naruto's yell brought him back to his senses. Sasuke realized that he was holding the Hyuuga head close, glaring at him.

There was no denying it, the Uchiha was furiously angry at the old man before him. Sasuke glared with such hatred that he never thought he could possess. The Uchiha badly wanted to pry off that stoic mask on the Hyuuga's face if he could care less. But before acting upon his rage, he wanted to know something. It was something that he should've been informed of prior to his engagement with the old man's daughter. Why Hiashi was trying to hide Hinata's history? Why there were so many of them who weren't aware by the news? Is that even necessary to go for such a length to hide a fact, even to erase his daughter's memories?

All that he wanted now were answers. Truth. He wanted them out, from the very person who was before him.

Hiashi on the other hand was calm, yes; he was neither sage nor a god that is known for absolute patience, he was just a mere human. He was angered by the insolence of the Uchiha, yet the maturity he had acclaimed from the 51 years' experience of living as a mortal gave him the wisdom not to take out his anger. The man stood there not moving an inch, he didn't even budge. Despite the way he was treated that personally did hurt his pride, Hiashi stood strong to his feet, he never wavered. His face was grim, stubbornly calm, and he held a cold stare towards Sasuke. Hiashi was aware of the fact that Minato was worried for both of them; the Namikaze appeared in the middle of the both of them before anything bad could happen. The Hyuuga appreciated Minato for that. He knew that the little boy seems to be agitated by the fact that Hinata was not found. Hiashi was taken back as he saw something close to curiosity apart from anger in those dark orbs. But this isn't the way a future son-in law should act towards their father in law right?

The two were staring at each other for what was about 5 minutes before the younger Uchiha broke the heavy silence in between them.

"What happened to your daughter, where is she being taken to?"

The older man scowled at the question Sasuke shot at him, it hurt him. 'Did he seriously think that?' the man mused.

The Hyuuga head spoke "I truly don't understand what you mean by that, Sasuke-kun"

A dark chuckle escaped from Sasuke's his lips "ohh… you mean you really don't understand?"

Minato was shocked to see where this was getting to, he tried to convince Sasuke that he was wrong, "You are wrong! Sasuke-kun please come to your sense-"

With a glare that was as cold as ice, his words as sharp as a dagger the elder Hyuuga cut Minato "Minato. Let us handle this."

Glancing back at Sasuke he said, "Do you mean that I was the one who kidnapped my own daughter?"

Hiashi was answered with nothing but Sasuke's incredulous stare upon the Hyuuga before he heard the Uchiha say.

"I would be forced to think that way, depending on your answer, Hiashi-sama" coal black eyes pierced through marble white orbs once again.

To say the least, he was amused that this boy was suspecting him. He could almost see the deep care Sasuke has for his daughter, but it was hurting his pride nonetheless for being suspected like this without a shred of evidence.

Hiashi smirked despite the tension between the two that grew thicker, "I am amused to know that you care this deeply for my daughter, you're even going to the length of suspecting me for it. But fear not, I am not the culprit as you suspected."

The Uchiha scoffed in disbelief, "that does not relieve my suspicion on you in the least bit; I've never seen a father who doesn't worry for his daughter, when she is kidnapped… twice…"

Hiashi tensed once Sasuke stressed on the word 'twice', the look of smug on his face crumpled to nothing and was replaced with the look of confusion and terror. For a slight second, Hiashi visibly quivered but neither of them could see it because he regained of his composure so fast that it was deceiving like an illusion. The Hyuuga's breath caught in his throat, yet the man remained firm despite that he was shaken by Sasuke's words. While Sasuke, narrowed his eyes wearily when his words visibly stung the Hyuuga, his suspicion of him hiding something is confirmed when he saw the man's brows twitched at his vague statement.

'H… how did this boy-' his mind was in distress.

Minato on the other hand held his breath, he was sure not to make any of the details leak. But how-? Something hit the Namikaze in his brain hinting him, and then the man glanced at his own son, who was scared shitless at that point. The colour on Naruto's face drained, he looked completely pale. His lips were quivering and his teeth were jittering. It's doom. He knew it.

'Ugaaahhh! Sasuke you bastard… do you have to announce that now? I'm gonna get killed for this!' Naruto visibly shrunk at the foul, dark aura emanating around the four of them.

It has started.
Doom day's count down…
For one Uzumaki Naruto

Clouds drifted away lazily under the influence of strong air force in the atmosphere. The day was brighter as usual, smallest star of the galaxy shone down to earth with its billions watts radiance in the beautiful early morning sky. Every life on earth began their day quite normally as they do, cities were packed with thousands of vehicles bustling in and out traffic jams.

Birds chirped away happily as they started their early morning routine feeding their younglings nestled on higher branch of an oak tree, among a spacious garden that surrounds a lone mansion standing in the middle of it. The building stood high and proud among the other house premises that was built around the area; it gave off a strong, noble, domineering vibe that any stranger who happened to pass by knows which family does the huge and magnificent building belongs to.

The Hyuuga mansion was in quite a stir for the pass one week. The news of the kidnapped heiress has reached miles that most of the relatives came by visiting Hiashi- the clan head from different parts of Japan to offer their assistance in finding his daughter. Even the Uchihas were troubled once the news reached them. Most of the dealers whom were sustaining a good relationship with Hyuuga corporations sent their regards to Hiashi through Neji.

Distraught with the surrounding chaos, one Hyuuga Hanabi stood there at the balcony in her pyjamas, bags of dark circles lining under her white eyes, showing signs of insomnia, the younger Hyuuga struggled to deal with the absence of her big sister. Her long dark brown locks flailed in the wind as she watched Ko- the butler of Hyuuga household humbly bowing to the guests who had visited their house. Unshed tears were brimming on the corner of her eyes as she watched the people go with much conflicted feelings. She was also upset with her father for house-arresting her for the time being until her elder sister was found. None of them exactly knew what she was feeling.

Her brow creased in annoyance, as she glared down at the guests who were taking their leave, 'bunch of bastards… do they have to act as if ne-chan is dead?'

She gritted her teeth as the thought crossed her mind. She was suspecting each and every one of the Hyuuga family not leaving anyone out of the loop, all of them had a motive in kidnapping the heiress. Hanabi knew her father is having Neji, her brother to succeed his business and that triggered many negative responses from the Hyuuga clan members who wished to compete with him for the title of the Hyuuga Corporation's president. Despite their objections and discontent with the decision, Hiashi made sure Neji as his official replacement upon his retirement- that would happen in the near future. Neither of the clan members was happy with Hiashi, in fact they held grudge against him for that. Hanabi could see the happiness hidden behind their poker faces as they visited her father upon hearing the news.

She figured it as soon as she saw them; they were delighted that Hinata was kidnapped. They were happy seeing the main family suffer, feigning their worry they came by to mock the main family. Her face twisted in disgust as she turned in her heels, stomping back to her room. The girl collapsed into her bed as soon as she reached to her room, not bothering to close the door behind her. Her mind was buzzing with slight light headed-ness; she was getting her migraine again. The pain was shooting from all sides of her head that made her grit her teeth squeezing her eyes shut. She didn't seem to notice a maid had entered her room after knocking twice; the woman came to notify Hanabi of someone visiting her, the poor girl just nodded to whatever the maid was asking her permission for.

'Hinata…'

The brunette struggled to control her tears as a flash of an image of her big sister's warm smile passed through her mind. Despite her holding them back, the salty tears flew boundlessly away from her tightly clutched eyes down to her cheeks. A soft sob escaped her throat as Hanabi held her temples slightly massaging it in the process to heal the shooting massive wave of pain whirling in her head. Her heart clenched as she remembered everything about Hinata, pangs of worries and anticipation covered her soul as she lay sprawled on her bed.

The pain subsided after what it seemed like ten minutes, her arms stretched outwardly, reaching to the small table at the corner of her bed, grabbing a photo frame Hanabi flipped to her stomach, her fingers tracing down on the photo that was took a year ago.

A tear ran down to her chin as pale white eyes without glint of lavender in it, stared down at the picture of a midnight blue haired woman, her sister who was smiling brilliantly in that picture.

'Ne-chan…'

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she whispered softly to the air "please be safe…"

The younger Hyuuga's mind was so clouded that she stared at the white ceiling above her totally immersed within her worries for her sister that she failed to notice a person entering her room, who was now staring at her with concern as she didn't respond to the person's calls.

"nabi-san… Hanabi-san…" rough, deep voice of a person she knew pulled her out of her muse.

'Eh?'

The girl snapped her head to her side, the pale marble white eyes of the Hyuuga grew wider in pure horror, as she stared at the person who was hovering over her bed, reaching a hand shaking her gently, he was smiling cheekily at her- his face just inches from hers.

'S… Sen…sei? Oh biscuits!'

"Hi! Earth to Hanabi-san! You okay now?" Konohamaru asked innocently as he looked at her with much enthusiasm.

"WAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

"HAHAHAHAAAA… haa… phew…"

Her voice rang like glass in her laughter as the sound of her voice resonated through the park, gaining much unwanted attention from the visitors who were there towards them. The lustrous blonde haired woman laughed her ass off as she looked at her friend's face.

Heaving high and low with gasps of hair compensating the need of oxygen to her lungs, the Yamanaka wiped her tears off as she smiled looking at her pinkette bestie. Sakura was both surprised and mortified with Ino's reaction once she revealed her of her health condition.

Growing slightly impatient Sakura said gruffly, "I am not joking Ino, you are pregnant! Trust me!"

"That… my dear friend would not happen- I mean… we've done it only twice, a-and… that happening so fast… is j-just impossible!" Ino exclaimed as she regained her calm.

Sakura leaned in towards the Yamanaka as she nudged Ino's arm as she asked her, "how long are you late Ino?"

Sakura then continued huskily slight blush tainting her cheeks, "did he wear protection when you two… uh you know, doing 'it'?"

"Hey… that's quite personal Sakura…" Ino blushed profoundly averting her eyes from the jade green ones of the Haruno.

Shaking the girl a little Sakura hissed, "Just tell me Ino!"

"huh… I don't know, about a week or two late…OH!"

The Yamanaka stared at the dirt down on the ground where her feet rested on her heels, her eyes widened in shock. Her lips were a little apart as she stared in space, her pale blue eyes widened into a new diameter that sparked Sakura's worry. The Yamanaka was reacting weirdly that roused the Haruno's apprehension. After realizing her current situation Ino's eyes grew wider in horror, her cheeks flared red in embarrassment as she recalled something equally embarrassing. When Sakura saw the colour was back on Ino's face, made the pinkette sigh in relief.

Minato was trying his best trying to calm his breath, he managed to remain calm despite the reeling fury in his head. He never felt this angered in all his years, and whatnot he couldn't even bring himself to believe that Naruto- his son had broken a promise. What was even more impossible is that his son's excuse to it- was an 'I'm sorry dad I forgot about the promise'?

The Namikaze released a deep sigh. Even a glance from him was all it took for Naruto to confess to him that he was the one who told Sasuke about Hinata's past. The rice has been spilled- no, more specifically it's already spoiled. There is no use crying over spilt milk. He glanced to his right, watching both Hiashi and Sasuke who were at it, since he pulled Naruto to the corner of the room for a little 'discussion' which ended up having Naruto bruised, with a black eye and a broken tooth. The man thought it over, he knew something like this could never be kept secret; somehow it will find a hole and reveal itself- like a smoke.

'sigh… this boy…' Minato mused as he shook his head once he gained a sight of his brooding son.

Naruto was still pouting, reflecting over his own actions. It was hard to see him like that, so Minato ended up cheering him up after beating the man to a pulp. Naruto perked when he felt his father's arms around him. He glanced at his father who was now equally tall as he was; there was a sad scowl on the Uzumaki's face when he felt Minato pat his shoulders gently.

"Dad…?"

Minato smirked at his son and said, "Apology accepted. But don't do something stupid like this again Naruto."

The man in his twenties skipped on his feet, hugging his father as he said happily "Really? I'm forgiven? Why thanks dad!"

Naruto's smile faded when heard his father spoke seriously his eyes followed Minato's gaze, landing upon Sasuke and Hiashi "We thought it was for the best, for Hinata's well-being that we opted to hide the truth from everyone… but you made us realize that, truths cannot stay hidden for long."

Naruto stared with a deep scowl. Whatever Sasuke had in mind it was completely serious, and he couldn't deny that the Uchiha was right. He did regret that he told Sasuke the secret but he didn't even imagine in the slightest that everything would turn out this way.

Sasuke wasn't paying any heed to whatever Naruto and his father were having in the other side of the room. He was only focused on getting Hiashi into telling the truth that he wanted to hear. Sasuke was positive that his little statement roused the Hyuuga's emotions. If he went on with it, it won't be too long until he hears the truth.

Hiashi had kept his scowl present despite the tension he was feeling when Sasuke stirred him "What is that you are hiding from all of us Hiashi-sama?"

Hiashi spared a glare at the Uchiha who ignored it as he continued, "I don't understand what you are trying to say Sasuke-kun."

"I want to know the truth; Hiashi-sama… is it true that Hinata was kidnapped before? If so, why do you intend to hide it?" Sasuke asked sincerely this time, with no trace of mocking tone in his voice, nearly begging the Hyuuga head to reveal it.

'Looks like I have to get it straight out this time… It's time to deal with it' Hiashi decided.

It made Hiashi glance at the young man before him, his stern scowl softened into a sad one, he dropped feigning his ignorance and stared at the Uchiha with same level of sincerity that Sasuke offered to him in his voice, "Sasuke-kun."

The Uchiha looked up at the Hyuuga and stared expectantly, with a soft sigh escaping his throat Hiashi muttered "You must promise me… that this doesn't gets out. No soul should know about this, more importantly Hinata, she must never be told. After hearing to this however, I will not force you to continue this alliance with our Hyuuga Corporation."

"WHAT?!" Sasuke spat in confusion 'where is he getting with this?' the man seemed more confused.

"What do you mean by that Hiashi-sama?" Sasuke asked this time, his voice was low almost dark.

Hiashi's face hardened, "I mean whatever I say Sasuke-kun. I will not force you to marry Hinata- my daughter-"

"Hey Sasuke you're awake!"

Both of the man glared at the poor souls who had interrupted their possibly serious and deep conversation. The men threw their darkest, coldest, most terrifying, and freakiest glares ever seen and known in the history of a Hyuuga and Uchiha towards the little group that stood at the entrance of the room. They somehow triggered two time bombs waiting to blast with their cheerful greeting; the bright smiles on their faces begin to wear off like a wilting flower under the chilling winter.

Once life came back to her, she turned to look at her best friend, the poor blonde started to shiver, stuttering out her response, "Sa…Sakura… th-there was o-one time we… w-we just… Oh my god…"

"When did that happened?" Sakura enquired her friend seriously as she waited for response.

"three weeks… th-three weeks ago…" Ino mumbled incoherently as the girl stared in space, her eyes searching for something as a lone tear escaped her eyes.

A new feeling started to surge through her whole body, the Haruno's heart fluttered in pure joy as she understood Ino's bodily response, it was definitely that. Sakura who was now beaming with happiness quickly jumped onto her friend squealing like a little girl.

She crushed the Yamanaka with her brute strength, "THAT JUST CONFIRMS IT INO, CONGRATULATIONS!"

Ino who was shocked and surprised at the revelation turned to face her friend as she muttered solemnly, confusion rested in her voice as she said, "Is this all for real? I-is this real Sakura? Is it really true that…"

Growing even more concerned for her friend, the pinkette broke the hug to gain a sight of her friend's face, "Of course it is true! You are pregnant Ino… What's troubling you?"

Ino glanced directly into the jade green orbs of the Haruno, timidly. Sakura's breath caught in her throat when she saw that 'look' in Ino's eyes. It was as if she saw the little Hinata in those eyes. She never knew that Ino could be this troubled. The Yamanaka was searching for something in Sakura's eyes. Jolting pain struck the Yamanaka's heart as she thought more about it. Shikamaru's in coma, her being pregnant, and their parents… how would they take this?

The Yamanaka placed her hands on top of her abdomen, as soon as the fact about her being pregnant with Shikamaru's child dawned on her, made the soon to be mother realize about how delicate her situation really is. Unknowing to the Nara, the future of their relationship together is taking another step, and fast. The pain now was even more unbearable for her; she glanced at Sakura unconsciously caressing her abdomen lightly with her thumb.

"Sakura…" her voice sounded broken… almost as if she's hurt.

"I-… I don't know… w-what to f-feel about t-this… I-I… re-really don't k-know how to r-react…" Sakura watched her friend in total shock.

Sakura could almost see her conflicted feeling as Ino continued, "Sh-Shikamaru's i-in c-coma… a-and i-… I d-don't k-know h-how to take this… o-our parents… w-what would they s-say ab-about this? I wonder w-what should I fe-feel, h-happy or sad?"

She looked like a frail little girl who lost her favourite toy, Ino was in the verge of breaking down and a soft sob escaped her lips despite her control. That is the only indication Sakura needed. The Haruno quickly reacted and she held her friend close in her arms and caressed the woman desperately trying to calm her down.

Sakura tightened her hug, stroking her long blonde hair, the Haruno tried to console her friend, "shh… It's okay, everything will be okay Ino…" she said in a low soothing voice.

"I am pregnant… will this little girl or boy… in here would be able to see their father Sakura? Or c-can I even keep the child? I'm sure both of our parents knew of our relationship, but this is kind of… too soon." Ino sobbed.

The Haruno creased her brow, growing irritated with her best friend, is she being indecisive again? "What are you talking about Ino! Being a mother is a miracle! I am pretty sure your parents will understand if we talk to them! Sh-Shikamaru will definitely wake up Ino please have a little faith!"

Ino creased her brow in a sad frown, "I know so much that I have to be the strongest during this kind of ordeal Sakura…b-but I don't know how… I c-can't even a-act tough…"

Sakura hugged her back, squeezing her slightly, reassuring her "I am here Ino, we are here for you… All of us. I know this is tough for you but… but if you remained weak, you can't change what's in the future… only by being strong now, can you really learn how to deal with this Ino…"

The pinkette hid tears as she murmured, "please Ino… you need to be strong, for us, for the baby, and a-also for Shikamaru… You he wouldn't be happy i-if you're acting like this…"

Now growing even more hurt by her best friend's sadness Sakura who was warmly enveloping her arms around Ino, bit her lower lip confused as to what to say to comfort her friend, the pinkette closed her eyes as she felt Ino leaning against her shoulders. The two stay that way until Ino stopped crying, the Yamanaka managed to calm down after crying for so long. Sakura was doing a good job as a friend by staying by Ino's side when she needed her the most, but something painful tugged at her heart.

'I'm sorry Ino… now that you are like this… the more reason why I can't tell you…' the pinkette thought bitterly as she sustained herself from breaking down for her friend, blinking back her tears Sakura broke the hug slowly.

With a warm gaze Sakura smiled at Ino hiding her true feelings behind those jade green eyes which were now glistening with unshed tears, she said, "I am happy for you Ino… This is all the more reasons why Shikamaru should have to wake up from that bloody coma!"

Ino laughed softly at Sakura's joke and she said earning a chuckle from Sakura, "I don't really know if he's feigning it, him being a lazy ass is a possibility of that happening!"

"You'd never know what could happen with that lazy bum! So stay healthy for him and his child that is inside you okay…" Sakura half joked as she laughed at Ino's comment.

The two girls smiled brightly as they walked out of the park heading toward the huge hospital, Ino was very lively at the news of her being pregnant. She was still hoping so much for Shikamaru to wake up to hear this news. While in the meantime, Sakura who was walking beside the Yamanaka looked at her friend in anxiety. She stared back to the feet with a detached look, she couldn't swallow or spit the news it was all too had for her to handle, pain was there in her eyes as she thought of how the blonde would feel when Shikamaru's real condition is confirmed, how would Naruto and Sasuke take it? How will this affect Hinata, if she was recovered from those kidnappers? Knowing the Hyuuga, that girl will probably blame herself forever for this. The pinkette was silently hoping for him to wake up. She didn't want to lose him or see Ino and her other friends hurt.

Bowing her head down the pinkette slowly wiped off the tear at the corner of her eyes without being noticed by Ino, regained her composure Sakura smiled earnestly at Ino as they walked into the elevator getting back to Sasuke's room. The girl reached her hands out to click the button which leads them for the third floor, but she quickly pulled back when her hands were intercepted with another person's hand.

Surprised by the slight touch Sakura turned to apologise to the person, but her eyes widened in delight when she saw who was there with them in the elevator. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to greet the person before her. Ino who was equally surprised by the person's presence she quickly welcomed him with a loud bang on his head.

'Ka-pow!'

The person was taken aback, but smiled nonetheless when he was surprised again with the Yamanaka tightly greeted him with her warm hug to which only made him breathless.

"WELCOME BACK TO JAPAN YOU MORON!" Ino yelled as she let him go eliciting an amused chuckle from the man.

"Why did you come here?"

The marble white eyed girl was latched at the wall opposite of where the brunette guy was standing in front of her. It took all her will power not to faint then and there, seeing her crush standing in front of her was maddening. And what's more, he came directly from the airport to meet her, in the bedroom! This idiot has no sense at all! He stayed the same as always. She was happy yes, well… more than happy that he finally came back, but seeing him so suddenly out of the blue was too much for her to take.

Hanabi was clutching onto her blanket, like her life was depending on it. She glanced at Konohamaru who was before her with embarrassment. Once her eyes locked with his gaze whatever shame she felt completely vaporized, instead was panicked.

"K…Konohamaru-sensei! W-what happened?" she ran to his side, he looked like he was about to cry.

"You're mean as ever Hanabi… I wanted to see you but is that how you treat me?" the brunette asked her.

Hanabi felt pain as if her heart was pierced with a dagger, she was taken back "I… I'm sorry sensei… I… I didn't mean it to be that way…"

A blush crossed her pale cheeks as she eyed at him with a scowl, "you should've waited until I was ready to meet you; look I am still in my PJ's… I was embarrassed okay… so tell me when did you arrive here?"

Konohamaru was diverted but still he managed to answer Hanabi with a sweet smile crossing his lips, with a little to slight tint of pink on his cheeks, "I arrived this morning with my senior… he's training me too…"

"Oh! That's wonderful… so how far did you make it?" Hanabi tied her waist long hair into a bun.

The brunette sat in the couch in her room as he eyed the picture that the Hyuuga was holding close to her chest when he came in, "uh… not much but I am right behind sensei, catching him up… how about you? Who do you train tennis with now?"

Hanabi was speaking to him as she closed her wardrobe taking the clothes she wanted to wear after the morning shower, "with Kimimaru-sensei… I made it into the top ten of Japan under 18…" but Konohamaru wasn't aware of that.

Instead he was focused onto something else, the man walked toward Hanabi with the photo in hand, he compared her in the photo and the one before him "they are… the same…"

"Huh?" Hanabi questioned, "what's the same?"

Out of the blue the brunette pointed at her chest and poked it, "You're the same size as before, haha… your breasts never grew hadn't they? Sigh… what a pity…"

The Sarutobi wasn't aware that Hanabi was turning red, very red… monstrously red. Shivering with rage… 'how dare he… touch me there!'

"UWAAAHHHHHH!"

Itachi broke into a smile as he patted Sakura on her shoulders as she watched the man before her, "wh… when did he came back?" she managed to whisper.

Eliciting a chuckle from the elder Uchiha, Itachi answered, "early this morning…"

Sakura looked at Itachi who was smiling softly at her as he continued, "I received a fax from him yesterday saying that he was coming with his junior tennis player Konohamaru-kun, sorry I hadn't had the time to tell you guys, he called me this morning saying that he already landed in Japan which took me by surprise…"

Itachi said sending a mock glare towards the man who was slightly shorter than him, "Sorry I didn't mean to surprise you guys… How have you been Ino? Sakura?" the man asked politely.

The much held back tears of sorrow began to flow boundlessly in delight once she blinked several times to make sure what she saw was indeed true.

"Oh oof!" the red haired paced a step back when the pinkette jumped throwing her arms around his neck, enveloping the red head in a hug.

"GAARA, YOU IDIOT!" Sakura broke the hug as the elevator finally stopped at level three; she eyed him with mock anger as she pinched his ears pulling him outside.

"Do you have any idea how much we all missed you? Have you forgotten us you bastard?" Sakura inquired as the tug on his ears triggered the man to whine like a child.

"How mean… I finally found the time to come back meeting you guys, but you throw this kind of groundless accusations towards a poor soul like me… I couldn't even attend for Sasuke's engagement because of an international tournament and here you guys treat me like a stranger…" the Sabaku muttered the last part as he averted his eyes away from Sakura hiding his disappointment at the news.

"Huh? What was that Gaara? Is that really true or just an excuse? Are you jealous of Sasuke-kun?" Sakura noticed his varied tone which she quickly guessed the reason why.

"Wh… who's jealous of something like that? Nonsense... You're just thinking too much Sakura…" Gaara retorted with much annoyance that he was found out.

"Huh? Is that so?"

"Ow… ow, ow, ow… S. Sakura… it hurts…" Gaara whined as she gave his precious ear lobe a final twist before letting it go.

The man pouted like a kid rubbing his thumb against his very red ear lobe, as the Haruno said nudging him playfully, as Itachi pushed door open to Sasuke's room, "It's no use feigning it Gaara, I know you liked Hinata"

Gaara looked away with a soft scowl, he was still pouting and Sakura caught the 'look' in his eyes, she blinked in realization. To say the Haruno was surprise was an understatement when she saw Gaara blush in the mere mention of Hinata's name.

the Haruno whispered breathily as the red haired man glanced at her, Sakura is smart, yes in every aspect. But now, she couldn't believe herself despite what she had realized, "Don't tell me… Gaara you-"

"Hey Sasuke you're awake!" everyone's attention was on Itachi's back when they heard him yell in surprise once he saw his little brother was back to being conscious. But everyone was perplexed when they realized what was greeting them.

To be continued...

A/N: Hi! Hmm hmm... so everything is heating up right now, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and also the story so far... So what do you think is the secret that Hiashi was about reveal? I'll leave the guessing part to all of you... I know you'd hate me for the cliffies but fear not, the next update would not take so long, i hope... The only thing i would say about the upcoming chapter would be... uhm, hard. Yes, writing them was hard hehe, what you can anticipate is that- Hinata's making an appearance, vague-dry-truth- heart crushing- you wont like to know the truth.

Feel free to write me how you feel about this chapter... they boost me up with energy and inspiration... Show me some love= reviews haha!

Disclaimer: Naruto universe is not mine... so that is why i could only imagine what could've happened... IF it was actually mine... Haha!

Please refer to my profile regarding further details of the story and its updates... Stay tuned... but off the computer when you're done, save electricity, food, water etc. take care of your health, exercise your eyes often... See ya! -APSH-