Chapter 10: My Mistakes

"You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you."

Mary Tyler Moore

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Sasori stood and motioned the now anxious girl to follow him inside. It was time. The fitting with the Akatsuki. Hinata would be lying if she said that she wasn't excited and even happy. The line would launch during the fall, and the fitting seemed to be in perfect timing, during the hot, exhilarating summer. She wanted to make sure that everything was okay and in shape; for example, her body.

Sasori looked back at the bluette before going towards the door. "Change. Now."

Hinata nodded and proceeded to the blonde's room in search of something that was tight and allowed her to move this and that way. She went through Ino's stuff the second time that day, promising to repay the barbie by cleaning the girl's room, even though the cleaning lady would probably make it there before Hinata did.

"Oh fuck, I left my damn prints at the penthouse! That little fucker better not have drawn on my shit!", yelled a boisterous voice. That's definitely Hidan-san., thought Hinata as she pulled on a tight shirt and shorty-shorts. She blushed as she stared at her reflection in Ino's mirror.

She felt that she looked like one of those college girls on those pornographic videos that she had seen when she had went to Naruto's house in high school. She sighed and pulled her hair in a high bun.

She suddenly felt the need to think of Naruto of all people. But who would not stray to think of their first crush and obsession at the young age of 12?

It had hurt when she had found out that Naruto had been in on the plan to take Hyuuga away from her also. Naruto was the last person that she had expected would do this to her. During their years at Sarutobi Private, he had always been this large, orange ball of fun and happiness, which is what connected her to him in the first place. She wanted to feel his happiness, have fun with him. But beside him always lied his best friend, Sasuke, who was the opposite of Naruto; a large, black ball of hate and arrogance. He was the one who had stood in her way of ever having 'that' type of relationship with the whisker-cheeked boy, and he was the sole reason why Naruto turned against her. Hinata felt a sudden anger come over her before it ceased, and caused her to look around her in confusion and in a little fear.

What had come over me just then? Hinata felt a burning sensation in her chest, despite the short clothing and a/c that was in the house. She clenched her chest and snapped her head up once a rant of a knock sounded on the door.

"You've had enough time to get dressed, girl. Do you want me to kick down this door?"

Hinata jumped at the calm voice on the other end of the door and quickly opened the door before stepping out and following the redhead down the hall. Still the sensation in her chest wielded and grew fiery with each step she took towards the living room.


Tenten yawned heavily before popping another chip in her mouth. She was currently staying with one of her good friends, Lee. She had known him since kindergarten, and despite them going to different schools after kindergarten, she still kept in touch with him through summer athletics camps and retreats. Right now, Lee was finishing his last year in college, and was staying in a rented apartment downtown.

The bun-lady didn't mind the rough neighborhood at all; it was more comforting than the prim and prissy estate she once lived in.

"Tenten, laying on the couch on such a beautiful day is bad for your health! Our youth doesn't last forever!", exclaimed the bowl-cut-haired guy as he adjusted his backpack on his shoulder. Lee gestured towards the window. "Are the bird's not chirping and singing their daily melody for us? Is the sun not shining its brightest today to give us strength on this wondrous day?!"

Tenten threw another chip in her mouth and glared up at the tall boy that was blocking the TV; WWE Smack-Down was on. "Yes, the sun is shining bright today, and its damn well hot as hell out there. I would go out, but I'm a little restricted as you can see.", she pointed at the security ankle bracelet she was donning.

Lee sighed before moving the girl's legs over on the couch and plopping right next to her. "Tenten, you cannot be wasting away on the couch like you have for the past month or so. I am beginning to worry a great deal about you, and it is not just about the lingering but- Gah!"

The brunette brought Lee's face close to hers, narrowing her hazel eyes in the process.

He flinched in fear at her devilish grin. "Were you just about to say something about that prick Neji, or were you just yanking my chain, bushy-brow?"

Lee gulped and shaking his head repeatedly, uttering small apologies. He suddenly pulled away from her and stared at her with his wide, childlike eyes. "I do not like it when you are like this. The shine in those eyes are gone..."

Tenten looked the other way as she felt a blush surface. "I just miss him so much, Lee. It's been a month and I haven't even been able to talk Tenji about what's going on.", she looked out the window and sighed sadly, "Who knows what Neji is telling him. God, I could just...ugh."

Lee could only listen. He didn't want TenTen to be hurting this way, but there was nothing he could do; he had college and labs to worry about.

He put his hand on her shoulder. "At least from what we know, he's safe. So do not worry too much, my fair lady! The sun shines brighter on the victors side of the mountain!"

Tenten sighed and leaned back on the couch, remote in hand. "Yeah, go on and have fun with your frat-friends and moody college girls and leave your best friend lonely and stuck in the house by herself...with knives and pointy forks."

Lee glanced at the restraint on her ankle before smiling."I trust that you won't do anything like that when you're so close to freedom!You'll be free to leave the house in a few weeks!"

Tenten was about to respond, but glued her eyes back to the television when she saw that the commercials were gone.

Lee laughed and opened the door when suddenly a small figure dashed into the house, nearly knocking him off his feet.

The breath was knocked out of Tenten when the child clung to her waist and buried his brown locks into her clothes. "MOMMY!" Tenten gripped the young boy in surprise and happiness as she realized it was her boy, Tenji. Those white eyes smiled up at her and nearly sent her to tears.

"Is this real?!", she looked up at the teary Lee, "Did you plan this? How did you get Neji to do this?"

Lee looked at her with confusion. "It was, unfortunately, not me you brought such a surprise."

Tenten looked down at the blissful boy and question him.

Tenji grinned. "Kin-chan dropped me off here and said that I could stay here till Daddy got back from France! But she told me to promise not to tell Daddy."

Tenten smiled and looked out the window to see that a bright blue Ferrari was outside the apartment complex, a very pregnant Kin standing in front of it with a smile and a small wave. Tenten looked towards the belly, questioning if she was already six months. She smiled back at her and saw her quickly get into the car and zoom off from the torn down neighborhood.

Tenji looked up at his mother in question. "Did you get the note from Hinata-chan?"


Hinata entered the living room to find almost all the Akatsuki (with the exception of Kisame) present on the round sofas in the room. A lone little table stood there in the middle of the circle, which made Hinata raise her eyebrows in confusion. Was that there before?

She noticed that the room was eerily quiet when she walked in; the men (and Konan) were seated, taking notes on the girl just before she stepped upon the platform. When she stepped on the little table, with help from the sarcastic Sasori, everyone stopped and looked around at each other.

Ino's cheerful voice sounded from the kitchen. "Does anyone want some lily tea? I got it shipped in from Switzerland this morning!" The barbie proceed to put the tea set next to the sofa tables, which were seated on each end of the plushy furniture.

Hidan snorted. "You know I'm allergic to lily, bitch."

"Exactly why I got it, bitch.", Ino took a cup, throwing a slight glare at the pouting albino.

Itachi, who sat in a corner in the room, stood and stalked to Hinata, much like his little brother. He peered at her face before roaming over her form, making her shiver.

"We're going for liliac?", he went to the box Sasori had brought in and took out several fabrics.

Deidara nodded. "For the logo. For the designs, we'll be using a color scheme similar to it unless we find something better. But right now, we need a name for the line. We'll have to draw from a box or something.", he sighed.

Hidan yawned before glancing at Hinata. "Minx, this guy over here is my bitch, Kakuzu. Kakuzu, new bitch."

Hinata looked over beside the rude man and saw a face she didn't see before.

The man had dark skin with strange red-green tinted eyes, which reminded her of a horror movie she had once watched. Strangely, he still looked to be attractive.

Hinata blushed at her blunt thought. "N-Nice to m-meet you, Kakuzu-san."

Kakuzu nodded, further increasing her blush. After another thirty minutes of pure Hell, everyone dropped their notepads on their laps and held out their hands. Hinata stared curiously as Ino stepped beside her on the little stand. She noticed that each person held a look of challenge, even the Uchiha's red orbs pierced each individual he held out his hand.

Ino looked around the room. "Ready...Set...go!"

A series of curses came from Hidan after the results were in; Everyone but Sasori had rock, while he had the victorious paper symbol with a ecstatic smirk.

Hidan jumped up in frustration. "I thought I told you dicks that rock was my thing!- Itachi, what the fuck man!"

Itachi shrugged. "I thought you were bluffing…"

Deidara slapped Sasori on the back with a grin.

Hinata giggled at the childish gamble going on. Rock, Paper, Scissors?

Ino clapped. "The winner is the Pinocchio, Sasori Sabaku!"

Claps and 'Congratulation's went around the room, and Hinata stopped in insane giggling to look on in confusion at the cheer and upset atmosphere in the room.

Sasori smirked and turned towards the girl, a kind of shine dancing in his eyes.

"The name will be Mujakina Jōnetsu.", Sasori said.

"Mujakina Jōnetsu it is, un.", Deidara wrote it down; he was the Head Designer after all. (much to Sasori's chagrin) .

Kakuzu seemed to be satisfied with the choice, as well as the others. "Pretty soon I'll be swimming in millions off this one."

Hinata blushed once again and steadied herself on the stool.

Sasori smirked at Ino. "It seems that our little barbie is already swimming in millions. Did anyone see the new black Coupe in the driveway?"

Ino snorted. "I wish. I own a Rolls Royce - but what black Coupe." The blonde looked at the others.

Hidan folded his arms. "There was a black car pulling out of the driveway before we pulled up, but we all suspected it was the neighbor's."

Hinata stilled.

"Sasuke bought a new Coupe this morning.", stated Itachi.

All eyes turned to the bluette in question, one of the eyes piercing her with incredulity.

"Did someone come to the house earlier, Hinata?", asked Ino.

The girl diverted her gaze to the french painting on the blonde's wall, not wanting to answer her question.

Ino face turned from question to astonishment. "Hinata! He was in the house?!", exclaimed the blonde and soon she ran out of the room to check the the other rooms in the house for a sign of the Uchiha being there.

Hinata looked down and saw that Konan was already taking her measurements, the little yellow measuring tape starting at her bust. "I-I didn't know it w-was him at first! I-I had just g-gotten off the phone and the doorbell r-rang! A-And I had thought i-it was the cleaning l-lady, but-"

Deidara cut in then. "So you just opened the door without checking to see who it was?" He didn't use 'un' at the end of his question, which made confused. He only did that when he was angry, like with Neji.

Konan moved down to the girl's waist.

Hinata looked at the agitated man, trying to explain the situation. "I-I was being careless, I-I know, but-!"

"So what did you two talk about?", Hinata looked at Deidara, whose eyes were now a stormy blue. "Did you two talk about your failing marriage? The 'good times' you both had? Or did you let him knock you around a little?"

Hinata's breath hitched at the nasty snag the blonde pulled at. Sasuke had only hit her once in their marriage, but it still wasn't an excuse. Did verbal insults count as abuse?

Konan looked back at the blond, stilling her graceful measuring. "That was low, Deidara. Apologize."

He 'tched' and started to examine his fingernails."It isn't like she's isn't used to it. This is probably an earful compared to all the shit that that Uchiha has spewed towards her."

Hidan nudged the blonde's shoulder."Chill, dude."

Deidara ignored Hidan and glanced back up at the girl. "A woman without the guts to stand up for herself is pathetic, and me giving my pity and sympathy to someone like you is a waste."

"This is getting out of hand.", muttered Itachi as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes. It was bound to come out someday though. He thought.

Hinata gawked at him. She couldn't believe that he, a man that she barely even knew, was saying such things about her. He pitied her? Was she nothing in those stormy blue hues of his? The irritation in her stomach was on fire now; she didn't understand him. "W-Why are you saying such things?"

"Because the thought of women like you make me sick, un. You had the nerve to let him into the house where Ino, the woman who has opened her home to you, stays!"

Hinata tried to defend herself."I-I didn't know he-"

"It doesn't matter! You could have told him to leave, yet you LET him stay!"

Hinata knew from his very words that his anger was very real. She understand though; he was acting like he was her father or something. "I didn't!", she protested, his accusation pulling a string in her.

"YOU DID! You are to blame for his actions about how he treats you!" Silence was in the room as the raging man continued. "Don't you see what your doing, Hinata? You're bending under his will. You wanted to get away, yet you're still trying to hold on to have a loving relationship with him, when we all know that will never happen."

Hinata looked down at her painted toes, a frown on her face. She was still hoping they would get back together. He was all she had known in the category 'love'. Life without him for the past month had been lonely. The beautiful pinkette then popped into her head. Sakura.

"Y-You don't know that! He told me the truth!"

Deidara snorted. "Yeah, him cheating on you and abusing you can be excused, all because he told you the truth about one little thing! Is that going to change the fact that you were

played?"

Everyone looked between the two each time they yelled or said something. Ino soon emerged from the room, a sad look in her eyes.

Hinata stepped off the stool. "He did all those things because he was angry at his clan because of this arranged marriage thing! He was never really mad at me! He just...lied?", her statement ended up being a question, which shocked herself as she realized that he had lied.

Deidara jumped up and took a step towards her, his height over-towering hers. "Oh, so he lied to you, cheated on you, and abused you? Wow, that's another thing added onto his resume of being a perfect husband, Hinata! Your whole marriage was basically a lie!" Sasori stood beside the blonde, ready to still his steps towards the angry girl.

Everyone in the room stood right after the redhead, also ready to interfere in the fierce argument going on.

"I-I've come to that conclusion already!", she suddenly gripped her now fallen hair. "Why are you saying these things when you don't even know me?!"

Deidara snorted, a maniacal look in his eyes. "Because, there are replicas of women like you all around! I see you on the streets of New York, at the balls in Milan, even in the most torn down neighborhoods! Pathetic women, clinging to their husbands because they are afraid to move on in the world with the fear of being alone!"

She threw up her hands, tears now falling. "You just don't understand! You never will..."

Deidara glared down at her."Yeah, he told you the truth! But what you can't seem to see is that he could have made better decisions about his relationship with his clan instead of taking out all his anger on you! He is a vile man, Hyuuga! He doesn't deserve your love!"

Hinata looked away from him, anger creeping into her body. "Then who does, Deidara?!", she blurted, causing the room to go frigid.

Deidara grew silent - she could've swore she say his eyes sadden momentarily before he looked away from her.

She had hit a nerve. She watched him stare at her, his eyes softening before he look her in the eye.

"You are just like her...", he whispered. Hinata noticed that an explainable sadness had come to him, dismantling the angry aura around him. Deidara glanced at her once more before storming out of the house and into the hot air of the night.

Sasori quickly followed after the blonde, hoping that he could stop the on-the-edge man from doing something that could cost him his life. The door slammed behind the two.

"Looks like this fitting is over.", said Hidan as he gathered up his things and motioned for Kakuzu to follow. He nodded his head toward Ino and Hinata before following his partner out the door.

Konan sighed. "This was a disaster."

Ino nodded and looked to the Uchiha, who was gathering his things. "Itachi-", she started, but was quickly cut off by the male before her.

"If this is about my foolish little brother, I would rather not hear about it."

Ino held a little surprise in her eyes. Normally, Itachi would have loved to listen to problems concerning the young man, but now he seemed different. She grabbed his shoulder a little as he leaned down to get his phone."Is there a reason for this statement, Itachi-san?"

He only glanced back at her for a moment before grabbing his phone. "I've decided to dedicate my full time to Akatsuki and Sabaku. I gave my share of Uchiha Corporation over to Sasuke this morning."

Ino's mouth fell open.

"I wish not to talk about it.", Itachi looked out the large window in the room. "Uchiha is not of my concern anymore." He soon bid the women good-bye before exiting the house.

Konan shoved the material box off the couch before sitting down gracefully, all while focusing her full attention to the bluette sitting on the small table in the middle of the room.

Ino decided to start off the conversation. "Please let this be the last time you have contact with Sasuke. I like having my clients and the defendants separate before going in to testify." Ino sighed. "For all we know, Sasuke could have been seeking information on what you were planning to testify against him with."

Hinata snapped her eyes up at the blonde."I-I don't think that he was here f-for that."

"Oh, then pray tell, why was he coming over to Ino's in the first place? Did he know you were staying with her?", Konan butted in as she sat down, her eyes staring up at Hinata.

Hinata jumped at the question, already going over her and her handsome husband's detailed, but short talk. Now that she thought about it, he didn't know she was at Ino's place. Which only could have meant-

"He was going to make a deal with me. I guess that he feels that we have enough information on him to trash his image or something.", Ino stated silently.

Konan crossed her legs and grabbed one of the tea cups before muttering 'exactly' and taking a small sip. Hinata felt her heart skip a beat at the realization. Another realization, huh…

Hinata wouldn't admit it out loud, but for the first time in a long time, she was becoming pissed off with the her conniving husband, the notorious MGC, the judgmental Hyuuga Clan, the stressful clothing line, and Deidara, who she couldn't seem to figure out his real feelings of her. She couldn't understand anything anymore, which made the fiery tomb in her belly snap, creating a flaming internal anger that she didn't know she had.

"I'm going to bed.", said Hinata after a pregnant pause. The other girls in the room looked at one another before looking back at the narrowed-eyed girl.

"We need to discuss this, Hinata. Nothing will get done if-", Ino was cut off.

"How about you two discuss it, because I'm afraid I might screw it up, just like I've been doing this whole time!"

Konan put down the tea cup and held up her hands in surrender."Hinata. We are only trying-" Hinata turned her rage on Konan then.

"Trying to help? It seems that all you two are trying to do is bring me down and count out all of the things I've done wrong this few weeks!"

Ino stood, trying to defend herself and Konan. "That's not what we're trying to do! We're trying to do what's best for you."

Hinata looked at the two in utter angry still."Only I know what's best for me!", she yelled. "Stop treating me like a child!"

"We'll stop treating you like one when you learn to start acting like an adult.", said Konan calmly as she glared at the hormonal teenage girl.

Hinata ignored the two and stormed into the basement, shutting the wooden door behind her.

Ino sighed and leaned against the couch. "Teenagers..."

Konan sighed picked back up her tea before looking at Ino. "Her stuttering seems to be getting better."


After three hours of sleep Hinata had become restless, and started to count the numbers on the digital clock and divide it by three. It was already 1:23 am. One plus two plus three equal six...six divided by three equals two...two.. It only took one person to make her life a mess.

She sighed and sat up in the makeshift bed. Deidara's words cruised in her mind all night; she had even dreamed of him say those cruel, but true words to her. But why does it hurt so much? Why am I hurting? She stood and walked toward the body-length mirror in the basement.

She stared at her gown-clad self before slipping the then straps off her shoulders and letting the thin dress fall. She smiled sadly at her body. She had gotten what she had wanted; two full mounds and more than enough hips to go along with the pair. But she wasn't happy like she thought she would have been. She had wanted those things to please Sasuke, not herself. Sasuke..

She frowned at the thought of his beautiful face before going to the dresser in the corner and putting on a knee-length dress and flats. What was the point in staying in bed when she couldn't sleep. She shoved her phone in her dress pocket and pulled her on her jacket and walked up the rutty-sounding stairs.

Hinata decided to walk quietly down the hall, so as to not wake up the pretty blonde resting safety under her covers. A wave of guilt came over the bluette as she stared at the beautiful blonde. She wished that she hadn't have taken all her anger out on the blonde and purple-haired woman. And Deidara.. She had decided that she would apologize to them personally when she got back. Hinata grabbed her purse, containing her first $200 check, and left the house. The stars were still out, but Hinata couldn't see them shine due to the streetlights that ran down the road. Nonetheless, the girl needed this time to think, not to enjoy the splendid view of nature surrounding the fancy neighborhoods.

She found herself walking in the middle of the almost deserted city, her mind set on surprisingly not Sasuke, but Deidara.

Deidara.. His crystal blue eyes and his thick mane of yellow was printed in her mind. She was so deeply confused. Why was he acting like that towards her? Was he holding a grudge against her from long ago? Hinata would have known if she had met him some time before; no one would ever forget his eyes. Those eyes.. they held so much passion in them when he was working on the line's theme, so much amusement when he going at it at her cousin, so much happiness when she had been in the backseat with him during Tenten's bailout. Now she had seen a new emotion in those azure eyes; anger. Even though she was angry at him for this, she couldn't help but feel that all of his emotions weren't for her, but for someone else.

But who, thought Hinta as her feet stopped in front of a building that was much shorter that the tall scrapers of the city. A tiny cross was at the tip of the building.

A cathedral stood before the girl. Her intention was to pass it, but her feet moved towards it.

It was like a spiritual pull was motioning her there, almost as if God himself was ushering the girl forward. Will I find the answer here? She could remember when she had asked her father if she could go with the lower clan members to the cathedral nearby. He would scold her and tell her to go study. That little told her that he didn't believe, and she didn't ask about it again.

Her mother would sneak her in at night so that her father didn't know, although Hinata would swear that she from the high window at the mansion, he was watching them. Those moments were some of the best that she and her mother shared while she was still alive. Hinata wiped her eyes and stared at the top of the building. She had to make up for lost time.

The girl hesitated before pulling open one of the doors and stepping in. There were many seats in the place and if one looked up they would see a chandelier of gold hanging from the ceiling. The many windows in the place of worship were made of color-stained glass, which brought out the gold accents of the church. The front of the church held the cross, a large, gold one that held the messiah of the world, Jesus.

Hinata's eyes caught something red in the corner of her eye and soon, she became surprised by the person sitting on the front bench. Gaara.. She became timid then. Would he think of her as weak? He still hadn't turned around though, his eyes still plastered on the golden cross in front of the room. Hinata walked forward, much more confidence in her step. She wasn't ashamed of how people thought about her when it came to her God; she was willing to endure it.

The bluette quietly sat next to the redhead, making sure that they were at a comfortable distance. His eyes still did not move from the cross. She stared at the golden Jesus with him.

Soon she heard his deep, raspy voice.

"Why does He forgive so easily?", he asked as he continued to stare.

Hinata glanced at Gaara for a moment before turning back to the cross. "B-Because God loves us all..." She felt his eyes turn to her.

"Why does He love us?"

Hinata turned towards him and smiled. He reminded her of Hanabi when she asked her questions. "Because we are His children."

The redhead stared at her for some time before looking back at his original muse. Hinata looked at the cross with him again. "What are you d-doing here, Gaara-san?", she found herself asking, much to her surprise.

"When I want to get away business and paparazzi, I come here. It helps me manage my stress."

Hinata raised a brow. "The s-stress of working?"

Gaara leaned back against the seat. "That among many other things.", he smiled a little at the cross. "It has helped me through most of my hardships..."

Hinata scooted closer to him, wanting him to enlighten her on his thoughts. "If you d-don't mind…"

A few minutes of silence went by before he began with his confession.

"When I was younger, demons used to come to me at night." His raspy voice remained calm and emotionless.

Hinata sucked in her breath at that. "W-What do you mean b-by that?"

The redhead glanced at her before looking back at the cross. "Demons, evil beings that wanted to control me, break me and kill me. No one believed me - my father sent me away to a mental hospital when I was four.", he sighed. "He didn't care where I went as long as I was out of his hair. My father only cared for my siblings - Temari was Heir, so his sole concern was on her.

"During my years at the hospital, the demons still came, and my anger for my father increased. He was never there with me like mother was..", Gaara's voice hinted on a little anger.

"What c-came after that?"

"My father filed for divorce, and won custody of my siblings and I." Hinata put her hand to her mouth and let out a gasp. "My mother was left with nothing, not one cent to her name."

"Why?"

"Because he wanted to be with another woman."

Hinata stared at the redhead in shock. If she had had children by Sasuke, would he have taken her babies away. The thought was too cruel to imagine.

She put her hand on his shoulder. "What did your mother do?" She saw his eyes narrow.

"The media bashed her, ridiculed her, and soon, she committed suicide. The last time I saw my mother was in court."

Hinata let go of him and held her head in her hands. She had thought of committing suicide over Sasuke once also, but the thought quickly burned into ashes. She would have never thought that Gaara had went through that. She felt bonded with him; they had both lost women that were important figures in their lives.

"What d-did you do when you found out?"

"I started to feel betrayal, hurt, and unimaginable pain. I withdrew myself from others and started to hate the everyone. I carried this hate to Sarutobi Private after I was discharged from the hospital."

Eight years? He attended Sarutobi Private! "I-I never saw you there..."

Gaara looked at her and smirked. "I went to school on the west-wing. I watched you during lunch hour."

Hinata blushed.

Gaara continued on with the story. "The demons left, but I was still consumed with so much hate. I started to get involved in fights, drugs, and Sasuke."

Hinata squeaked. "S-S-Sasuke?! But he-!"

"Exactly. Uchiha, Uzumaki, Nara, Hyuuga, all of us. We were the same in so many ways."

"You all were..friends.", muttered Hinata.

Gaara nodded and looked back at the golden cross, his teal eyes softening. "We caused trouble, all of us. We got high on Mondays, fought thugs on Wednesdays, and studied on Thursdays. We did things that we knew were wrong, but when we were doing it together, it didn't seem bad.", Gaara shook his head."That's how that sex-tape came about. I persuaded Kin into doing it. Looking back on it now, I see just how lost I was."

Hinata looked down at her lap. "Why did y-you do it?"

"I wanted everyone to feel my pain, even if it was in a different way. I wanted everyone to feel my sadness, and my frustration. I was confused...and lost."

Hinata soon saw a small smile form on his lips.

"That's when I found this place. I was intending on tearing it apart one night, but I felt something here. I found out that the demons weren't gone - they weren't visible to me anymore because I was now the demon." He looked at Hinata. "That's when I decided to change. I left Sarutobi Private and transferred to Suna Academy and reunited with my siblings."

Hinata smiled. "So...everything turned out o-okay in the end. What ever happened to your father?"

"I never saw him again. He died of Aids. His lover was HIV positive. In his will, I was given ownership to Sabaku.", he paused for a moment, deep in thought. "To this day I don't know what my father's true feelings towards me were. If he hated me, then I don't get why he would have given me Sabaku Corp, his pride and joy."

"People l-love in different ways, Gaara-kun."

He looked up at her in confusion."Kun?"

She nodded and happily gripped his hand. "We're friends now!"

Gaara smirked. "If that is so, why don't you tell me of your argument with Deidara?"

"Hinata stilled before letting go of his hand and once again, looked down at her hands. They were small compared to Gaara's. How did he know? Sasori IS his cousin...A long silence passed by and the two found themselves looking back at the golden cross.

Gaara sighed."Everyone has hardships in their lives, Hinata. No one is perfect."

Hinata responded. "I-I know, b-but he didn't have to say such things to me. H-He doesn't really know me, so w-who is he to judge who I am?"

Gaara sighed and stared forward, his eyes unreadable as if he was debating something within. After a while, he spoke. "Deidara was angry because you reminded him of his mother."

She looked at him in curiosity. "I-I reminded him of his mother? How so?"

"I've told you too much already, but here's my point. I want you to know that Deidara didn't mean you any harm. He's angry that you aren't standing up for yourself."

Hinata's hand found her indigo locks. "B-But why is he concerned about m-me? I'm not t-that important-"

"He fears that if you go back to Uchiha, that you will suffer the same fate that his mother has to deal with." The bluette looked wide-eyed at the emotionless redhead. "He fears that when you go back to him, that Sasuke will control you once again, and this time you won't be able to get out."

Get out of the marriage? Gaara stare frightened her; it reminded her that she was in the real world.

"Deidara's father sent him away to Japan from the Suoh family, and the one person that he thought would stand up for him was his mother, but she shied away and stood by his father, afraid of her husband leaving her." Hinata gasped for the hundredth time that day, once again surprised of the information she was hearing from Gaara, who remained emotionless.

"W-Why? What reason would a father have for sending their own son a-away?"

Gaara stood and brushed off his pants. "If you do not acknowledge what Sasuke has done, I'm afraid that you will succumb to the fate of Deidara's mother. Or worse.." He didn't have to finish the sentence for Hinata to know the rest. She would be at risk of killing herself over Sasuke.

The guilt weighed her down. She had yelled at Deidara, and told him that he didn't understand, when he knew it first hand from being a child. A child, brought into the mess of a cheating and controlling father. Would Sasuke act like Deidara's father toward their children, if they ever had any? Would he change? Sakura then popped into her head; if she and Sasuke ever got back together, would the pinkette commit suicide, like Gaara's mother had?

Hinata quickly stood and grabbed Gaara's shoulder, knowing what she had to do. "C-Can you take me to Deidara's place?"

The redhead nodded and ushered the girl out the cathedral, but not before looking at the cross on the opposite wall and giving it a small smile. Thank you...


Gaara's sleek drop-top pulled up in front of the condominium. Hinata looked at him, a confident look stoned in her eye.

"10B. They should still be up.", said the redhead. Hinata smiled at Gaara. She was happy that she had met him; his talk had straightened her out. Without thinking, Hinata pecked the redhead on the cheek before jumping out of the car and running towards the condos. When she made it to the entrance, she waved him goodbye.

Gaara smirked at her and gave a light wave before speeding down the street. Hinata opened the door, thoughts pounding her head at once. She was going to apologize to him, for everything. For being weak, dependent, for yelling at him, stuttering, all of it. She was going to promise him that for the first time in her life, that she was going to be strong. Not just for herself, but for him because he needed someone right now.

With a quick pace, Hinata walked out of the elevator and started searching. When she stood in front of the door, she inhaled and exhaled. She was ready to apologize, right here and right now.

The girl knocked loudly on the door and waited for a second, before the door was opened by the hazel-eyed man.

He turned and went back into the front room, throwing things into a louis vuitton luggage bag on the couch. Hinata closed the door slowly and walked towards the frantic redhead, who was going this way and that.

"W-Where's Deidara? I-I need to speak with him."

Sasori casted her a backwards glance before zipping up the suitcase and heading to the back of the condo.

Hinata followed after him. "Where i-is-"

"He's on his way to France at the moment. Can I take a message?", the redhead grabbed something off a table before moving to the front.

"A-Already?", asked Hinata as she watched him stuff the money in his pocket. She was scared at how fast he was moving.

"He's making a record.", Sasori said. He started cutting off lights in the house quickly. He then looked at Hinata. "Oh, and he's trying to save his mother from his father and MGC's clutches right now."

Hinata felt her mind go blank for a moment. Sasuke's face popped in her head.

Sasori glared at her, his hazel eyes burning holes in her. "Yes. It is because of your husband's 'eye-for-an-eye' rule that Deidara and his mother might end up dead."

"W-What? I don't… I don't." Sasuke.

" Apparently, Sasuke's not only the CEO of Uchiha, but also a major underground drug boss.. Deidara's father has been buying more than he can afford, and Sasuke is ready to collect his debt."

She could tell that every word was true - he had no reason to lie. Hinata's tears slid down her cheeks. Deidara's family and himself were in trouble, all because of Sasuke.

That's when everything clicked. Yesterday at her job Deidara was talking on the phone in french, and one other words meant 'mother' when translated. Then Sasuke came over to Ino's house in a brand new car and only stayed a few minutes; then he said something about talking to him when he came back from France. Now Deidara was gone... Would Sasuke really harm the blonde's mother over money he didn't get? No..

Sasori ignored her tears and went towards the door. Hinata stopped him by blocking his way with her body. Her eyes held tears, but not from sadness. Sasori saw that it was anger and determination.

"I-I'm going with you..."

Sasori sighed. He didn't have the time to waste. "I don't have time to be waiting on you get-" She cut him off.

"I won't need anything but a jet." Hinata walked out the door and waited for him before getting on the elevator.

Sasori felt the anger coming off of her in waves. "You shouldn't come - you'll only be a hindrance - "

"I'm coming." The bluette looked up at him. "I-I...I have to stop him..." Before he does something terrible...

Sasori snorted."If you haven't noticed, you and Sasuke aren't exactly on good' terms. You could end up being killed in the process, and that's something I don't want on my hands. You're not going."

Hinata remained quiet until they made it to the lobby. They both went towards a red Camaro in the parking lot. Sasori looked at her once more and started loading his luggage in.

Hinata got into the passenger seat, ignoring his request. She didn't feel anything; she didn't want to feel anything. The only thing on her mind was getting to France to stop Sasuke.

Sasori got in and started up the car. "This is your last chance, Hyuuga. Leave. Go home."

Hinata looked him dead in the eye, her eyes holding an internal fire. "If I never do anything right in my life, I want to die knowing that I helped one person fix their life. I'm not going home without knowing that everyone will be okay."

Sasori's lidded eyes gazed at her. "You're willing to risk your life for Deidara?"

Hinata didn't hesitate this time. She smiled brightly at Sasori. His own throat clenched at her plump lips curving. "What do I have to lose?"

Sasori returned the smirk before shrugging. "Whatever."

He sped off towards the Sabaku Land-off.