Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the song!


Number Five With A Bullet:


Part XII: Things We Lost In the Fire

Things we lost to the flames

Things we'll never see again

All that we've amassed

Sits before us, shattered into ash

Uchiha Sasuke blinked at the blonde before him. She was not a happy camper and waking up on the wrong side of the bed was an understatement. She had woken up on the ground.

How the events came about, he didn't know he could react such a way. It had been quite awhile since he had shared a bed with another and waking up in bed with her was just as a surprise to him as it was to her when she woke up hitting the floor.

"You threw me off the bed!"

Sasuke glowered, wishing he could cover his ears, "You drooled on me." Hell would freeze over before he indulged her on his lack of contact with women.

"YOU fell asleep on MY bed!"

So as soon as he woke up and realized she was in his arms and very comfortably so, Sasuke felt a strange feeling of…belonging. It was foreign; likeable, but also terrifying to him.

He twitched and before he knew it, he had flipped her over, off the bed, and away from himself.

"It's my house."

"Hmph," She crossed her arms, pulling up the sides of her thin night shirt. His eyebrows furrowed and his eyes diverted to another corner of the room.

"Anyways," He coughed slightly, catching her attention, "I need you train with Sai for the next week or so."

"For what?" Ino was still clearly pissed at him.

"If you're going to be part of this, I'm going to need you to be able to defend yourself and have our backs." Sasuke wasn't sure how well she'd actually do. But he needed her to at least try. Her hands were just as battered as Kidomaru's face from the last encounter. He could see her purse her lips in a comment that never came out.

He strode towards the door, "I need you to be my equal in this if we're going to take Orochimaru down together."

As if that last statement was exactly what she wanted to her, her expression lifted, the anger swirling in her eyes dissipated. Instead, she gave him a rare smile, one that made his heart skip and he almost twitched visibly.

"I understand," She whispered softly, Sasuke held his breath, "Thank you."


These are the things, the things we lost

The things we lost in the fire

These are the things, the things we lost

The things we lost in the fire


It was the first night since she was dropped off at the mansion that she had actually slept well and undisturbed for more than a couple hours. And the fact that he had gone to see her and reassure made her feel a bit better.

Lifting her eyes, she glanced quickly at the brooding man across from her, the frown etched across his face never faltering.

Does he ever smile?

Even the devil can grin. And Uchiha Sasuke was getting pretty close to being the devil's incarnate in her book – but he still wasn't.

He's still human and he can still feel pain…I guess…

Everything must've been hard on him too. Though he had slept just as long as she did last night, Ino could tell his eyes were rimmed with dark circles and his face paler than before.

He hasn't slept or eaten well either…

Sighing again, she probably should apologize for blowing up at him like that. It was really unnecessary and childish given the looks the servants had donned before backing out of the room quickly. She didn't know why but every time she saw him, she always wanted to bicker. She always wanted to fight. And she always wanted him to feel like he was the one at fault.

But he wasn't. He wasn't the one that killed Shikamaru nor was he one to want her dead either. Ino owed her life to him and as far as she could remember, she had only been angry and cruel back at him.

Last night had opened up her eyes to the human behind Uchiha Sasuke. He could look just as weak and broken as she was – but he could never show it, not when everyone counted on him. And she needed to apologize for her behavior towards him.

"Sorry."

Ino blinked. What?

Sasuke stared daggers at her as if daring her to make him repeat himself, "I didn't mean to throw you."

She blinked again; surprised at his sudden confession even though his expression read I'll strangle you next time instead.

"It's fine," She smiled and then grinned; "Besides you were probably just startled from having shared a bed with such a beautiful woman and not remembering anything." She struck a pose, hand on her hips. Ah, there goes her mouth running itself again.

"What?"

Ino couldn't even imagine his lips being able to turn downwards any further than that. But it was happening and she swears the corners of his lips might touch each other, completing the circle frown.

She let out a laugh, snorting quite a bit at his now miffed expression.

How long has it been since she had laughed? Since she had felt the weight lifted slightly? That she had found amusement in anything?

As if he understood it was a joke, Uchiha Sasuke just scowled from the other side of the room and let her enjoy her moment. And she was quite thankful for that. She'll save her apology for another time. The last time she had laughed and smiled close to this was the van ride—right before she decided to hurl all over Gaara-kun. The expression on Uchiha's face when she had waved that donut made her laugh until she had felt sick.

As much as she had been angry at him, he was always the one that made laugh unintentionally. Or maybe intentionally. Who knows?

Maybe he's not so bad afterall

She laughed and hiccupped by herself after he left the room, as she got dressed and ready for the day.


We sat and made a list

Of all the things that we had

Down the backs of table tops

Ticket stubs and your diaries


"Will he be okay?"

The two women shared a glance and turned their attention to the older woman in front of them.

"He's stable." The short-haired woman sighed, "But he did lose quite a bit of blood and was in shock for awhile. I can't tell you when he'll wake up nor can I guarantee his vitals wouldn't crash again. I'll be checking up on him every few hours."

Both women bowed at the retreating woman.

"Thank you, Shizune-san," Hazel eyes scanned landed on the battered form of Kaze's ex-heir on the hospital bed. As soon as the other woman closed the door, she glanced at the blonde beside the bed. "We need to get him out of here. It's not safe."

The blonde woman frowned, "I know it's not. But it's not going to be a walk in the park, dragging his incapacitated body out of here inconspicuously. He's too fragile right now." She gripped the railing on the side of the bed, "Gaara's been in Kiri for almost a month preparing for that conference. Why did they wait until after the conference to attack?"

The other woman shrugged, "Maybe it had to do with something they needed from the conference?"

Sighing, the blonde propped herself on the side of the bed, "Did you get a good look at who did this?"

"I shot them. Of course I got a good look at who did that to him."

Obsidian eyes glared back, "I meant the one who ordered the kill. His briefcase was gone—taken. That means one got away and I'm sure as hell going to figure out who it was and what they took and flay them inside out."

"You're pretty bad at cutting stuff up. I've seen your cooking. I'll flay them and skin them alive for you if you want?"

"Tenten," The blonde growled, "Did. You. See."

The brown haired woman shook her head, "No, by the time I came, Sarutobi was already down and Gaara was barely holding his own behind a car. All security cameras had been tampered with in the garage. I'll have to go over the entire day's footage to figure out who it was. The two I shot were not the ones that accompanied them to the garage. Those two were already down."

Temari sighed, "Sometimes I wish your kill shots weren't so good and you left one alive to question."

Hazel eyes rolled at the statement, "Whatever. Let's just stake out here for a bit until we get clearance from Lee to move Gaara out. I'll contact Neji and let him know what happened."

Before she could open the door, Temari grabbed her arm, "Don't contact him too close to the hospital and use a burner. We have to be careful after 's a mole somewhere."


I read them all one day

When loneliness came and you were away

Oh they told me nothing new

But I love to read the words you used


He clenched the device in his hand. He had been searching for any clues Shikamaru might've left on the key to the box. But instead, he ran into a security breach.

There's no way…

Someone had managed to even sneak into their system and accessed their files. He had a bad habit of grinding his teeth when he was stressed and this was definitely one of those times where it's going to contribute to him wearing dentures when he's older. Whatever. At least ramen was still relatively easy to eat without chewing. Speaking of ramen, that's exactly what he needed at the moment. But other things needed to be tended to first. The biggest pain of in his ass was blinking back at him, green and black and red lights blaring in his face.

The files that were accessed were ones that were quite particular. It only centered on meetings, summit notes, flights, and schedules of certain events that had happened outside of Konohagakure.

"GAAAAH!" He banged his head on the keyboard.

"AHHHH!" The table beside him flipped over, "WHAT THE HELL, NARUTO?! DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT!" The brown haired man slapped him, "What the fuck's going on?"

"We've been hacked!" He wailed at the other man.

Kiba looked over at the screens, "So they know our routes…?"

The blond pulled at his cheeks in frustration, "We're going to have to call everything off privately and reschedule."

"Naruto…" The quiet glassed man in the corner spoke up, "When was this hack made?"

The other two blinked at him. It was the first time he'd spoken since Kiba and him were told to accompany Naruto during the time the Uchiha heir was with Hinata-sama.

"Erm…" The blond pounded on the keyboard a couple more times before reply, "Four days ago." He pouted, "I know I suck! It's been four days before I was able to catch it! Don't tell me, I already know!"

"Naruto…" Shino spoke up again, "When was the most recent conference outside of Konoha?"

Both Kiba and Naruto blinked at the screen and replied in unison "Two days ago in Kiri"

Oh shit

Naruto's eyes widened, "GAARA!" He screamed before bolting out of the room.


I was the match and you were the rock

Maybe we started this fire

We sat apart and watched

All we had burned on the pyre


Lavender eyes stared back at a pair of matching ones.

"…what?"

The smaller set blinked back, trying hard not to quiver, "I-I said, no."

"Hinata-sama—" He tried starting, unable to comprehend her sudden change in attitude.

"Y-You're—you're not going!" She cried a bit exasperated from having to show as much agitation as she was at the moment.

Neji couldn't understand exactly what was going through his cousin's mind at the moment. The normally composed Hyuuga Hinata was replaced with a wary and grief-stricken girl. She had even seemed satisfied and perhaps even content during the weeks the youngest Uchiha spent at their compound. But something between the morning the Uchiha left and now, she had unraveled.

The older male didn't exactly think his little cousin was still in love with the Uchiha—not even the years after their engagement had she ever been this unpredictable. Maybe it wasn't love or even the pain of loving someone that was reflecting in her eyes. It was something else and Neji sure as hell did not know what it was.

"Hinata-sama," He tried again, "I don't quite understand why not?"

She took a deep breath and he noticed how she shuddered as she pulled the words together, "You're a Hyuuga—" She paused again, speaking slowly, "You—You will not be part of this…this war between Uchiha and Sound. I-I will not see to it."

He stared at her. Never in his lifetime would he have ever thought she would say or do something along such lines. She had always been a loving and caring person and had always gone out on a limb to aid others despite her lineage and status.

"Sabaku is critical," He started again slowly, "They need to bring him to a safe house and I need to bring Haruno there safely as his attending physician."

And that was when he understood the look in her eyes, the fierceness and difference it held from before. The words that came out after, Neji couldn't fathom ever coming from his petite cousin.

"She can go alone. I have no relation towards her. You are to stay." Without missing a beat, the Hyuuga heiress dipped her head and ran out of the room.


You said we were born with nothing

And we sure as hell have nothing now

You said we were born with nothing

And we sure as hell have nothing now


The pink haired woman sat nervously in the car as it sped down the path. He had said it was some sort of short cut from the main road and would keep them off the grid for a bit too.

But did it have to be so dark and frightening outside? And did his driving need to be so damned reckless?! The ups and downs and hard turns were rocking her quite a bit. And the fact that Neji-kun had declined to accompany her made her a bit nervous. She wasn't acquainted with the male beside her and she was not acquainted at all with Kiri and the ones who were awaiting her arrival. In fact, the thought of being so far away from what she was accustomed to made her a bit sick.

"Can you slow down…a bit?" She bit out quietly.

The brown haired man turned and blinked at her, "What?"

"I said; can you slow down a bit?" His tone miffed her a bit and Sakura did not like it, "You're going to kill us!"

He glowered at her, "My brother is teetering between life and death and you're scared of some damned bumpy dark road?! Shut up, I could've been well on my way already if I didn't have to wait for you and your prissiness."

Sakura blinked, "P-Prissiness?!" She shrieked, earning her a 10 MPH increase in speed. To hell with first impressions. Sabaku-kun's brother was nothing like the red head.

"YEAH. ALL THAT SHIT YOU PACKED."

She turned to him, screaming right in his ear, "ALL THAT SHIT IS TO SAVE YOUR FUCKING BROTHER. NOW SLOW THE FUCK DOWN BEFORE I THROW UP ON YOU"

The green-eyed woman lurched forward as the brakes were slammed on, earning a good loud squeal from the tires. The car screeched to a stop and Sakura could feel her heartbeat in her ears. She griped the sides of the seat with her palms, unsure of what was about to unravel.

The windows rolled down around her and she opened up her eyes slowly, daring to glance quickly at the man beside her. The fresh air outside helped calm her nerves and stomach as she let out the breath she was holding.

"If you're going to yak, do it now. I don't want you doing it in this car," He stated bluntly, but the expression on his face showed a bit of shame. It almost looked to her as if he felt terrible about their predicament.

Did he stop the car for me?

"I think I feel better now, we can continue," She whispered as he started rolling the car up to speed again.

Really. What had she signed herself up for?

A lifetime of loving someone who didn't love her back, but she still held her loyalty even with her own life on the line. Sakura closed her eyes and leaned back into the seat. But what if she was mixing up her loyalty with love? The nervousness she felt around Sasuke-kun felt different now. It wasn't a spark as it was before. Was it just lust? Was it even love? Or was it because she had simply wanted something she couldn't obtain?

Now that she wasn't as blinded as before she noticed things she would overlook before. The sadness in Sasuke-kun's expression when he looked at Hinata or the way Hinata would ever so politely greet her but the stark hatred in her eyes shone. The disappointment in Naruto's smile when she turned him down broke her heart the most—but she couldn't string him along even if she felt guilty. She could never love him back the way he loves her.

Saving Sabaku-kun was the least she could do for Naruto and Sasuke-kun after everything she had done.

When she gets back to Konoha, Sakura decided, she'll apologize. Thoroughly. To Sasuke-kun, to Hinata, and definitely to Naruto.


These are the things, the things we lost

The things we lost in the fire

These are the things, the things we lost

The things we lost in the fire


"I need to talk to you!" Naruto gasped as he burst through the doors, "Privately."

Sasuke had nodded at Sai, and the other Uchiha ushered Ino towards the kitchen. The duo gave the disheveled blond a strange look before exiting.

"In my study," Sasuke breezed by him in the other direction and Naruto followed, the usual perk in his step missing. Naruto was sweating balls. Being the bearer of bad news to Sasuke was one thing he'd always passed off on someone else.

The door closed behind him and Naruto couldn't help but feel like digging his own grave right now. Maybe it was a better idea to have Ino-chan prance around in her cuteness to distract Sasuke from self-destructing and taking Naruto with him.

"Bad news. Bad bad bad news," He was sweating profusely now.

"Slow down, dobe," Sasuke quirked an eyebrow at him.

Definitely does not know what's going on

"We've been compromised," He exploded, "Gaara's been shot. He's been fucking shot. Fucking shit, Sasuke, please send me to Kiri too—Neji can't make it and Sakura-chan's already on her way. And Hinata-chan's being weird—she wants to speak with you and wouldn't let Neji go and all that but seriously, we need to get a move on. They took Ga—"

"Naruto."

The blond swallowed hard, the tone—made shivers roll down his spine.

"You said Gaara was targeted?"

He nodded numbly, watching the dark-haired male's facial expression slip into place. This look—this look was the same one when he found out his father was murdered and his brother missing. It had taken him so long to strip the mask off his friend after that. He didn't want his friend to go through that pain all over again. This time, he wanted to shoulder some of that weight too.

"But he's alive?" Another nod, "Is he safe?"

Naruto shook his head, "No, they need to move him out of the hospital. It's too open there. Kankuro was called to head to Kiri immediately after Neji was notified so I sent Sakura-chan with him." God, he was forgetting to breathe now.

"Why is Neji not accompanying Sakura?"

The blond held his ground, here goes nothing, "Hinata-chan opposes to it." He watched as his friend scowled, mixed emotions playing through his eyes. The room became a bit stifling.

"Why would she do that?"

"I don't know!" If this was some lover's quarrel between them, it was not the time to be having it when Gaara was on a tight rope between life and death. "Kiba and Shino retreated back to the Hyuuga also…Look Sasuke, if you've pissed off Hinata-chan somehow, you need to fucking fix it this time. We need her help."

"What makes you think I pissed her off?" Obsidian eyes glared back at him.

Naruto threw his arms up in the arm, "Because you always fuck things up with Hinata-chan and she's waiting outside to talk to you. She wouldn't even come in."

"What?"

"What?!" Naruto glared back.

"She's been outside this whole time?"

"Yes!"

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Because I'm panicking the shit outta me and I forgot!"

"You don't just forget something like that, moron!"

Naruto pulled his hair, exasperated, taking a deep breath, "Just please go talk to her? Tell her she's important and you love her and whatever and we need to get to Gaara and shit."

"But I don't love her." The words slipped out of his friends mouths before either could comprehend. Naruto stared at the Uchiha heir, who also seemed shocked himself.

"I-I don't love her like that. Not anymore," Sasuke raked his hand through his hair, "Look, I don't know why she's doing this. I'll go talk to her and straighten it out." He brushed pass Naruto, a weird glaze over his eyes.

Now Naruto has never been the brightest crayon in the box when it came to reading others, but that look on Sasuke's face was pure shock. It was unadulterated honesty that came out of his mouth during his argument with Naruto. It was as if Sasuke just realized something himself.

"Wait, Sasuke," Naruto grabbed the other male's shoulder, "What do you mean you don't love her anymore? Then what was staying with her for the past month all about? I thought—I thought you guys were getting back together and shit."

The Uchiha heir blinked; the wheels in his head turning as he replied slowly, "We are not. I was staying there to divert attention away from Yamanaka staying here."

Sasuke took another breath before making any eye contact with the blond, "Naruto, I'm going to need you to stay in Konoha." He was about to protest, but Sasuke continued, "If Kankuro's been called there, then Tenten, Lee and Temari should also be present. He'll be safe enough with those four. I need you to tend to everything here. They wouldn't attack Kyuubi out in the open like this—not yet. Contact Kakashi in person and catch him up."

With that, the Uchiha heir strode out the room, down the hallways.


Do you understand that we will never be the same again?

The future's in our hands and we will never be the same again


She could only stare blankly out the windows.

"He'll be right out. He says he needs to talk to Ino-chan first real quick," The blond pressed his hands together and bowed apologetically, "Sorry for the wait, Hinata-chan!"

The Hyuuga heiress thinned her lips.

He needs to talk to Ino-chan first real quick

First

She wasn't his priority. She never was before and she still isn't. Pale, slender fingers clenched the hem of her sweater.

How dare he put me second

Hinata felt the hot tears prickling her lavender eyes. She could never say the things she wanted to; never express the emotions threatening to crumble her. Hinata tried so hard to cover up the other side of her. What would people think if she was exposed? If every thought and emotion rolled off her tongue and body like she wanted to? But she held it all in. And because of that, people thought she was loving, kind-hearted, and angelic.

But she was anything but that. She wanted to be selfish, she wanted to hate, to destroy, and to conquer. She was the heiress of the most influential financial corporation in the five countries. Be damned if there was something out there she wanted and could not get.

Because she's almost always have gotten what she wanted. Almost always.

A knock took her out of her thoughts and she turned towards the man outside. Noticing the dark hair and eyes she opened up her door and scooted to the other seat. She blinked quickly, hoping the glossiness in her eyes was diminishing.

"Good evening," Sasuke dipped his head in formality, "Sorry for the delay and that I haven't had a chance to call you back. How are you tonight?"

Hinata stared at him evenly through the doorway.

"Please have a s-seat, S-Sasuke-san," She drew a deep breath, she wasn't going to stutter all the way through this. She had been running everything through her head. Exactly the way it should be said and done.

And she was confident, he was going to bend to her will and she will have the upper hand on him. If she couldn't have his heart—she'll settle for second best—not giving him up to anyone else.

He moved to sit in the car and the door closed behind him. In the distance, she could see Neji and Naruto. She had asked for privacy in the matter.

The man beside just stared at his hands, his lips twitching, but he said nothing.

"I…I heard about Sabaku-san," She spoke up, taking deep breaths as she went, "I'm sorry to hear he was hurt."

Sasuke turned to look at her and she stared back calmly. This was it. Now or never. Hinata had let the pink-haired woman mess up her chances before—she would not make the same mistake this time with the blonde woman. Even during the month he was staying with her, he continued to stay busy. He was either with the company, tracking Orochimaru, or contacting someone from his estate about the blonde's health. But never her. He was never concerned about her.

"I-I can't put Hyuuga through this situation," Hinata explained in her best attempt to get rid of her stutter.

"The Sound Inc is currently targeting Uchiha Corps and Kyuubi Inc," His attention was finally on her, and her solely, "They will not tangle t-themselves with Hyuuga because they do not have the c-capabilities to. And they will not t-try to."

He shifted in the seat beside her, "I understand. I'm sorry for putting you through this," Sasuke held onto the door handle, "I will not request your assistance any further. The safety of your people comes first for you. Thank you for telling me in person."

She grabbed his sleeve as he moved to leave, "W-Wait."

The Uchiha heir turned towards her again, "Hinata?"

"B-But…instead of taking down Orochimaru," She peered at him through lidded eyes, "If you m-marry me, I can get Hyuuga Financial to shut down Sound Inc."

She felt his hand grip her arm. Looking up, she was surprised to see the sadness and tiredness from his face, finally.

"Hinata, I'm…I…I don't—"

"Y-You don't have to m-make a d-decision now!" She blurted out, "…p-please. I-I don't want anyone else getting hurt. I-If you can just forget about r-revenge on O-Orochimaru. We can d-destroy his c-company and let him r-run and hide in the s-shadows."

"Ah…" She saw him nod slowly, "I'll let you know by tomorrow then." But she wasn't convinced he was going to say yes. Was it his drive for revenge? Or was it his pledge to Yamanaka Ino that held him on his ground? He had an unreadable expression and she wanted to reach out and calm him. To touch him. To have him touch her again.

Before he could make his way out of the car, she grabbed his sleeve again. Hanging her head low, Hinata could only whisper the words she practiced so ardently, "Please, marry me like you had promised."


Flames – they licked the walls

Tenderly they turned to dust all that I adore


End Part XII: Things We Lost In The Fire


Well…..heh…what can I say? I apologize profusely for how long it's taken me to update. Honestly, I didn't think I would ever be updating this story again but when a friend told me Naruto manga is finally going to end, I got a second wind and caught up. And then somehow was like, I can't leave this baby hanging either. So…I dug up my old draft of this story and (tried to) revise. Hopefully it's decent enough! It's pretty tough to copy the same writing style I had back then!

Reviews would be incredibly helpful! Comments and criticism welcomed! (but if you're just here to say, oh I don't like this story…I really hoped you didn't read all 12 chapters to say that…) I don't have a beta (so excuse the grammar and mistakes!). But I am very very open to ideas! :)

Thank you everyone that had left comments or personally PMed me during my time of hiatus!

The story is going to bridge a little further—I do have an outline and ending planned for it. And no, I haven't forgotten about the little box! There is going to be a bit of time given to develop everyone's feelings towards each other and still stay within the plot-so please bear with me!

And while reading through all these reviews: Main pairing – SasuIno, Side crack pairings…you'll have to see! I don't plan on having cannon pairings in here!

Thank you thank you thank you again! :)

Ame no Megami