Looking Through Lavender Eyes

by LavenderWallflower

Naruto broke Hinata's heart. She leaves 3yrs later she's back, blind. Everyone's hiding a secret from her, Naruto's hiding a secret from them. Sakon wants Hinata and his boss wants Naruto dead. Will the secrets be revealed? Will Naruto be killed? NaruHina

21. Chapter 21

I am back and summer vacation has begun! So expect more LTLE! Thank you for all your reviews almost there to the 100 mark! You guys are awesome! Especially for all the reviews from ProjX-Psy-Clone! So, I hope you enjoy this chapter and please Read and Review! Thank You!

Blah – Naruto Singing

Blah – Kiba Singing

Blah – Surprise singer singing

Blah – Neji and Shikamaru singing

Blah – Naruto and Surprise singer singing

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto or the songs used or referenced to in this chapter. Again, song title and artist at the end.

Private Hospital Waiting Room 6:00 am.

Tayuya opened her eyes slightly, waking from her slumber. She stretched her arms over her head and felt a sharp pain on her breast. She looked down and through the fogginess of sleep she saw the white bandage over the cut she inflicted on herself. Tayuya wondered if the small wound opened slightly because of her stretching, and her answer came in a small drop of blood tainting the white bandage.

"What time is it?" Deidara asked from his makeshift pillow on Tayuya's lap. She shrugged and ran her hands over his features, noticing he looked very pale and had dark circles under his eyes.

"How much blood did they make you give?" she asked as he sat up. She had fallen asleep before the blood donors came back into the room.

"Like last time a lot," Deidara said simply. He looked around and saw Gaara looking at them, eyes alert. "How long have you been awake Gaara?"

"I never went to sleep," Gaara answered.

"What!" Deidara and Tayuya shouted, effectively waking everyone else up.

"Why are you guys shouting?" Shikamaru asked rubbing his sore neck. Many of them were sore from sleeping on the plastic chairs.

"Gaara said he never went to sleep," Deidara explained.

"Oh no," Temari said as she yawned, "Kankuro, Gaara's insomnia is back."

"Insomnia?" Naruto asked running a hand though his hair. Beside him Hinata pulled her long tangled hair into a ponytail.

"Yeah, Gaara became an insomniac after our mom died," Kankuro explained, "It took him a whole year to be able to sleep again, but it flares up when something bad happens. Like the time Hinata got hurt in the first fire, he couldn't sleep for two weeks, when we found out about Matsuri, he couldn't sleep for a month after it happened, then with Neji it took about a week, and now it's happening again, and who knows for how long."

"Why do you think he wears all that black eyeliner around his eyes," Temari said ruffling her little brother's hair, "It's to hide the big bags under his eyes." Gaara looked at Temari and handed her an eyeliner pencil from his jacket pocket. "What's this for?"

"Look in a mirror, all of you," he said, "You all need some." The teens, the Akatsuki and the parents looked into the mirror hanging on the far left of the room and what they saw shocked them. The parents looked exhausted and pale. Aside from Hinata, the girls were still wearing their dresses, but their make-up was smeared because of tears and their hair were tangled messes. Hannya and Aome had scrapes on their arms and scratches on their faces because of the rumble with those goons. Tenten still hadn't changed out of her dress stained with Sakura's blood. The boy's sports jackets were wrapped around their shoulders for warmth in the air conditioned room. Kiba, Kankuro, Sasori, Tobi and Kisame had bandages wrapped around their arms and small cuts on their faces, except Kisame also had stitches over his left eye, one of the goons had hit him with a chain. The rest of the boys weren't that bad off. However Sasuke was still covered in his love's blood.

"Has the doctor come with any news?" he asked Gaara, his voice hoarse.

"Yeah," Gaara said directing the information to Sasuke, Yuri and Koutetsu, "They finished surgery around four in the morning. He says they expect her to make a full recovery."

At the sound of that news Sasuke let out the breath he was holding in. "Did he say what room she was in?"

"Third floor room 36," Gaara said. Sasuke stood up and looked to his parents for permission to go.

"Are you hungry Sasuke?" Hiashi asked. Sasuke shook his head no, but his stomach betrayed him, growling like a lion.

"Maybe a little," Sasuke admitted, "but I want to be beside her when she wakes up. I'll get some breakfast from the cafeteria."

"Ok," Hiashi said, "You go ahead we'll meet you in about two hours, after we all shower and redress," he directed this to everyone in the room although Yuri and Koutetsu wanted to protest, but they knew it was a good idea.

"We'll bring you a change of clothes," Mikoto added. Sasuke nodded and exited the room. However a few seconds later he came back and hugged his mother and stepfather, thanking them, then he ran back out into the corridor.

Naruto helped Hinata up, but she shook as he did. She was still afraid of his touch. "Hinata," Naruto said placing his hand on her chin. She flinched but with her dull eyes she looked at the outline of his face, "I promise you," he whispered, "I will never let Sakon or anyone hurt you again." Hinata placed her own hands on his face and ran her fingers over his whisker scars. She didn't say anything, all she did was smile softly. She let go and stepped back making Naruto's hand fall to his side. Hanabi took her sister's hand and helped her out of the waiting room, following their parents, with the Akatsuki close behind. Naruto watched her disappear down the hall.

"What was that about?" Kiba asked.

Naruto rubbed his neck, "I don't think she believed me."

Hospital Room 36

Sasuke opened the door and walked in quietly, although the nurse said that Sakura would not wake up for a while. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her on the hospital bed lying on her stomach, her face turned to the side facing the door. Her pink hair was short, barely reaching her ears, and some strands where a dark shade of red, her blood still matted in it. Her face was pale with dark bruises and red cuts at her chin. Her body seemed to be swallowed up by the bed. He pulled up a chair and sat beside her bed. Sasuke reached for her hand and noticed on her arms where more bruises, long cuts, and the IV drip. As he opened her hand he realized it was wrapped in bandages. Sasuke raised Sakura's hands to his lips and kissed the bandages.

"Sakura, please wake up soon," Sasuke said, "The nurse said you would be OK, I just need to hear it from you. Please wake up. I just need to see your eyes, your smile." His tears fell onto her exposed skin. "I love you."

Sakura laid there in a deep sleep. She could hear sound around her but couldn't understand what it was. She was so cold until she felt a slight warmth on her hands. She then felt the light pressure on it and realized it was a kiss, a kiss she had felt many times before, forever embedded in her memory. She now knew Sasuke was there beside her. Inside, her mind was screaming for herself to wake up. She needed to know what was happening. The last thing she remembered was a loud sound, almost like thunder but a thousand times more dangerous. Then slowly fragments of memories began to come back to her. The images were fuzzy, her photographic memory no use at the moment, but she felt scared, helpless, and in pain. She began to cry and scream. Sakura wanted to wake up now! She wanted answers as to why she was feeling these emotions. She tried to move her arm.

Sasuke had just woken up from a small nap. It was around seven thirty. He woke up because he felt Sakura's arm move. He leaned closer to Sakura. He saw the tears flowing from her eyes, down the sides of her face onto her pillow. He didn't know why she was crying, and he became worried.

"Sakura, why are you crying?" Sasuke whispered in her ear, "Tell me, wake up and tell me, please." He kissed her cheek.

Sakura felt the light touch. She so desperately wanted to wake up. Sakura tried once again to open her eyes, wanting and needing to see Sasuke and know that everything was OK. However her eyes felt to heavy and she felt to weak.

Sasuke thought he saw her eyelids move. "Sakura wake up, everything is OK. Hinata's safe, Kin and Karin are arrested, they'll be going away for a long time. Sakura wake up and tell me that you'll be OK too."

Sakura continued to cry through her closed eyelids when she heard his words. She felt so relived. The weight on her heart lifted and a warmth rushed over her, engulfing her entire body. She felt stronger. Sakura tried her best to open her heavy eyelids. Finally after what seemed like an eternity Sakura became blinded by bright lights.

Her eyes fluttered and she tried to shade them but noticed one of her arms was weighted down by a large object. She turned to it, squinting, and saw the happy face of her love. Sasuke grabbed her face pulling her into a long kiss. Sakura raised her hand to his face and felt the slight stubble on his chin, she smiled against his kiss.

After a minute the couple pulled away. Sakura wiped a tear falling from his eye, "Hi."

"Hi," Sasuke answered back. His heart fluttered when he heard her voice.

"What happened?" Sakura asked, hoping this time she would finally have an answer.

Sasuke took a deep breath and recounted everything that happened the night before. He told Sakura about Hinata's attempted rape by Sakon, she cried hard at hearing this, Sasuke assured her Hinata was OK, and that Sakon was more than likely dead. He told her about him witnessing Karin shoot her. Sakura sat in shocked silence. She wondered aloud if being shot in the back would make her paralyzed, but Sasuke calmed her fears by recounting what the doctor had told him. The surgery was a success, the surgeons got all the bullet fragments and they expect her to make a full recovery in a few weeks.

"So," Sakura began and Sasuke gave her his full attention, "You saved my life."

Sasuke smiled and carefully climbed into the hospital bed to lie beside her. He placed her small hand into his and intertwined their fingers. "Sakura, I'll always save you," he said looking deeply into her jade eyes, "Until my heartbeat's gone I'll rescue you."

"Hey that was a good line Sasuke, mind if we use it for a song?"

Sasuke turned to the familiar voice by the door to the hospital room. Sakura raised her head slightly for a better view. There, smiling that fox like smile stood Naruto. Standing beside him was the rest of the Konoha 14, the Akatsuki, Aome, their respective parents and Sakura's own relieved parents, Yuri and Koutetsu. They were the first to reach her bedside. Sasuke laid their awkwardly, unsure whether to get off the bed or not. He decided to get off the bed but Sakura's hand on his arm stopped him. He smiled.

"Sakura, honey, I'm so glad you're OK," Yuri said wrapping her arms around her daughter, her pregnant belly crushing Sasuke in the process.

"You're a fighter sweetie," Koutetsu said standing on the opposite side of the bed. He kissed his daughter on top of her head.

Sakura smiled then turned to Hinata.

"Hinata, are you OK?" Sakura asked.

Hinata pushed her hair out of her face and nodded, "I'll be OK, I'm just hoping you get better, we still have all those songs to go over remember?" Sakura giggled and nodded, causing Hinata to smile softly. Looking around the room Sakura noticed Hinata and all her friends, looked clean and somewhat rested, with slight bags under their eyes. Some of the Konoha 14 had scrapes, bruises and band-aids visible on their arms and faces. As she scanned the room her eyes fell upon the lone Sound Gang girl. Sasuke followed her gaze and took a deep breath.

"Tayuya," Sasuke said holding out his hand for her to take. Tayuya stared at the ground as she walked towards him, despising everyone's eyes on her. She placed her shaking hand in his. "Thank you."

Tayuya looked up, at Sasuke and Sakura, "For what?"

"If it wasn't for you," Sasuke explained, "We never would have found Sakura or Hinata."

Sakura held the girl's other hand, "Tayuya you saved my life too."

Tayuya smiled slightly, letting go of their hands, "I was just doing the right thing … you girls didn't deserve this." Tayuya turned to Hinata, who set her eyes on her hands. She knew the girl was traumatized, but how badly she didn't know.

"Well we owe you," Sasuke said clamping her back, like he would one of the guys. Tayuya rolled her eyes, making many laugh.

"I love the sound of laughter in the morning," Jiraiya said walking in with a large flower bouquet in his arms. Sai was close behind with a sleeping Hitomi strapped to his chest in a baby Bjorn.

"Jiraiya, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked walking to Sai to say good morning to Hitomi.

"Sai and I came to check up on Sakura and Hinata," Jiraiya said, "We heard what happened on the news, how are you girls doing?" He set down the bouquet on the table and hugged Hinata. She was frozen but softened up when she heard him say, "Your mother would be so proud of how strong you are."

"Thank you Jiraiya," Hinata said and began to cry. Naruto was immediately by her side and took the fragile girl in his arms. He lead her out of the hospital room to get some fresh air.

"Tell me that guy who hurt her is behind bars," Jiraiya said turning to Yamato.

"The only people that will be behind bars are the girls that hurt Sakura," Yamato said, "But we never found Sakon's body in the rubble. He's still out there."

The room became silent until Hitomi's cries alerted everyone that she was awake. Sai was pulled out of the room by the pregnant women who didn't want the cries to disturb Sakura while she was resting and to gush over the baby in private.

"Get better sweetie," Yuri said kissing Sakura on the cheek. She and Mikoto followed the rest of the women and Sai. Koutetsu did the same and followed the men out of the room.

Jiraiya was the last to leave and said, "Get better Sakura, we got to get your band started … and Sasuke, don't tire her out too much." Sasuke threw a pillow that hit the door as Jiraiya ran away laughing like a five year old.

Sasuke laid back on the bed with Sakura who was drifting off to sleep. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. He buried his face in her hair. The smell of cherry blossoms and metallic blood reached his nose but the blood didn't bother him, because he knew with all his heart and soul that the girl sleeping in his arms, the girl that owned his heart, the girl he loved, would be OK.

Hospital Gardens 8:45 am

Naruto sat on one side of the bench while Hinata cried on the other side. He wanted to tell her everything would be fine but he knew that was a lie. He reached for a white daisy from the small patch at his feet. Naruto moved closer and presented the daisy to Hinata.

Hinata looked at it and in a weak voice said, "Did you know a daisy means innocence? Something I no longer have."

Naruto knew what the daisy meant and felt stupid for not thinking this plan through. He threw the flower over his shoulder and ran a hand through his hair. "Hinata, Sakon didn't take away anything from you. He tried but I stopped him, remember?" Naruto grabbed her chin and mad her face him. "You are still as innocent as newly fallen snow."

"How could you say that Naruto? How could you even look at me?" Hinata asked. She felt tainted in the eyes of the man she truly loved.

"Hinata, remember what you said in the dressing room?" Naruto asked and saw her blind eyes look deeply into his, "You said that you can only give yourself to the one you love. You didn't give yourself to Sakon. Yes he tried to take your innocence, but he didn't Hinata. I know it will take time for you to feel safe anywhere, but just know that in the eyes of your friends, your family and mine you are innocent. None of this is your fault, believe me. I will always be here for you and so will everyone else." Hinata wiped her eyes and thanked Naruto her voice growing stronger with every repetition of the word. Naruto wanted to hold her but he didn't want her to have a negative reaction so he asked, "Hinata can I hug you?"

His response was Hinata hugging him, balling his shirt in her fists, crying into his shoulder, trembling. Naruto wrapped an arm around her shoulders and placed his hand on the back of her head, rocking her back and forth, cradling her like the innocent child he would do anything to protect.

Hospital Waiting Room 9:05 am

Jiraiya grabbed his coat. He and Sai had to get back to Gama Records to plan a surprise for Fox Five and the teens, something they really needed. They bid everyone goodbye and headed for the elevator. On the way there they bumped into Naruto and Hinata. Telling them goodbye as well Jiraiya and Sai walked down the rest of the corridor to the elevators.

Jiraiya pressed the down button. In seconds two elevator doors opened. Jiraiya and Sai entered the elevator going down while in the one that just came up two women exited.

Jiraiya's eyes widened, and he blinked and rubbed his eyes repeatedly. "What's wrong with you?" Sai asked rocking and bouncing on his feet, trying to get Hitomi to sleep. "You look like you just saw a ghost."

Jiraiya ran a hand through his hair, disheveling it. "Maybe it was all that sake I had last night, but I think I did," he said. He closed his eyes and, although he couldn't clearly picture the face of the woman he just saw, he knew that the purple diamond on the forehead only belonged to one person. Someone he thought he'd lost years ago.

Tsunade and Shizune stepped off the elevator. Shizune was holding a large bouquet of roses and walking behind Tsunade when she suddenly stopped. "Tsunade-sama? What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure," Tsunade said trying to shake off that chill, "Maybe it's just being in a hospital again." Shizune nodded, knowing that her teacher had not done well near hospitals, or anywhere where she saw people hurt ever since that tragedy years ago.

"Maybe you should go back home," Shizune suggested but Tsunade waved her off.

"We came to see Sakura and deliver some good news," Tsunade said heading to the correct room. Shizune ran to catch up.

Tsunade walked into the hospital room to find Sasuke and Sakura on the hospital bed, sleeping. "Adorable."

Sasuke stirred at the sound of someone in the room. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, waking Sakura in the process. "Tsunade-sama?"

"Hey kids," Tsunade said. She bit her lip when she saw some remaining matted blood in Sakura's hair. However, she tried to give them a winning smile. "I brought you something to help you recover," Tsunade said and Shizune placed their bouquet next to the other flowers. She wondered who brought those.

"Where's everyone?" Shizune asked.

"Probably in the waiting room, I'll go get them," Sasuke said jumping off the bed. He stretched and kissed Sakura on the forehead before he walked out the room.

"How are you holding up?" Tsunade asked.

"My back hurts," Sakura said but Tsunade saw how she reached for her short hair instead. Tsunade sat on her bed and with trembling fingers held a piece of short blood matted pink hair.

"Eres bonita," she said making Sakura smile. She knew Tsunade said in Spanish "You're pretty," something she desperately needed to hear.

"Baa-chan what are you doing here?" Naruto asked as everyone walked in crowding the spacious room.

"Shizune and I came to visit Sakura, brat," Tsunade said standing up, "And to deliver some good news."

"What is it?" Ino asked.

"I have just finished the paper work to have the entire Sound gang expelled from school," Tsunade said crossing her arms, a smug look on her face.

"Seriously?" Iruka asked, "How did you get grounds for that?"

"Well, they don't have a great track record and all this was the last straw," Tsunade said, "If just three of them caused this much damage then imagine what the rest would do? I'm sure the board of directors will see it the same way on Monday."

"Wait," Deidara's voice floated from the back. The group split to allow Tsunade a view of Deidara with his arms around Tayuya. "Is Tayuya expelled too?"

"Of course," Tayuya closed her eyes and bit her lip, "Not." Tayuya looked up in surprise at Tsunade's smiling face.

"What?"

"Tayuya you had nothing to do with this … this time," Tsunade explained, "Besides we can't lose one of our top ten students in the school."

"Top ten?" Temari asked.

"Yes, Tayuya has one of the ten highest GPA's in Konoha High," Tsunade elaborated to the surprise of everyone in the room, "She's also in numerous clubs, but Tayuya made me keep it a secret."

"Why Tayuya?" Matsuri asked.

"The Sound wouldn't have approved," Tayuya explained. "Thank you Tsunade-sama, I appreciate your kindness."

"Just keep up your grades," Tsunade said.

Tayuya nodded, "I have to go now, Sakura I hope you get better," Tayuya headed for the door but stopped in front of Hinata. She grabbed her hand and whispered loud enough for only her to hear, "Stay strong. He can never break you." Tayuya stepped back and caught the grateful smile Hinata threw her. "It was nice meeting everyone." She bowed and left the room.

"Poor girl," Mikoto said, "Where will she go?" Mikoto looked at Deidara and winked. Deidara smiled knowing exactly what she meant. He ran out of the room and after her.

"Tayuya!" He shouted catching up to her as she got into the elevator.

"Yes?" Tayuya asked pressing the button to hold the doors.

"You don't have to go," Deidara said a wide smile on his face, "You can stay with the Hyuugas in the Hyuuga mansion … You can stay with me."

"I have to Deidara," Tayuya said letting go of the button. The doors began to close but Deidara held them open.

"Why do yo have to go back? They will hurt you if they see you again," Deidara said.

"I just do!" Tayuya shouted. She tried to push him away. However, Deidara grabbed her arms and walked into the elevator before it closed.

"I promised I would pay you back for saving my life," Deidara said not letting go of her arms, "And for that to happen you have to be alive."

"You may owe me for saving your life but I owe him mine!" Tayuya shouted before she realized what she said. Seeing the confused look on his face she regretted her words.

"Who? Who do you owe?" Deidara asked looking into her dark locked eyes.

"No one," Tayuya said but then thought better of it, "The man who saved my life after my parents died. I can't betray him. I'm sorry, but I can't stay with you."

"Don't say that," Deidara said. Still holding onto her arms he wrapped them around himself pulling her in closer. He placed his hand on the sides of her face and kissed her.

Tayuya closed her eyes and leaned in as much as possible into the kiss. She loved the taste of mint from his lips and the smell of earth and clay that emitted from his clothes. Deidara equally loved the taste of apple from her lips and the smell of fresh water from her hair. The two kissed passionately until they heard the bell ring from the elevator, telling them that they had reached their destination, the first floor.

Tayuya pulled away from the kiss first. Deidara opened his eyes a small smile on his face. Tayuya shook her head, "A kiss from you won't change my mind. I must go back." Before Deidara could try to convince her once again to stay Tayuya turned around in his embrace and pushed him further inside the elevator. She unbounded his arms around her waist and ran for the doors. In a swift motion she pressed the button for the third floor. Deidara tried to run after her but the doors closed in his face.

"Dammit!" Deidara shouted pounding his fists into the metal doors, bruising them. He knew he would never forgive himself for letting Tayuya walk away into the arms of danger.

Hyuuga mansion 6:00 pm

Deidara slammed the door of the Akatsuki van.

"Deidara calm down man," Sasori said putting a hand on his shoulder. Deidara pushed it away and stormed into the house. When he hadn't returned to Sakura's room Sasori was sent out to look for him. He found his friend inside the elevator with his face buried in his knees. Sasori guess he had probably been crying when he found him, but now the only emotion left in him was that of pure anger.

"He's pretty upset about this," Naruto said as he stopped to stand beside Sasori.

"He feels like he failed to protect her," Sasori said.

"I know how he feels," Naruto said closing his eyes with a sigh, "But at least I know Hinata will be safe tonight."

Deidara tossed his painting supplies on the floor. His desk stood empty and vulnerable to his kicks and punches. He felt so weak. He couldn't protect Tayuya from whatever was going to happen to her once she set foot into the Sound hangout. He thought he could have saved her if he showed up at her house. However when he took Itachi's Ferrari there he saw for the first time that the house was deserted. It seemed like no one had lived there for years. He felt hurt that Tayuya lied to him, and angry that he didn't have any leads on her whereabouts. He had asked Tsunade where they mailed Tayuya's grades to see if he could get an address, but Tsunade said that she personally delivered her grades every time. Everyone tried to convince him that he would see her in school, but even they were wary of whether they would ever see Tayuya again, and if they did would she even be allowed to talk to them.

Deidara heard a knock at his door. He doesn't want to be bothered but the knocking is insistent. He opens the door and Konan is standing in the hallway. "What do you want."

"Good evening to you too sunshine," Konan said sarcastically. She handed him a folded olive green fabric. It took Deidara a while to realize it was Tayuya's spring formal dress.

"Why do you have it?" he asked reaching for it, holding it in his hands gently. There was the faded blood stain on the front where Tayuya showed them her loyalty.

"She forgot it," Konan said, and with a smile added, "Now you have a reason to talk to her on Monday." Konan closed the door and left Deidara to his thoughts of a certain red-head.

Sound Gang Hideout

Tayuya sneaked into the warehouse. She wanted to put off dealing with her "friends" as much as possible. Hiding in the shadows of the dark corridors she got closer to her bedroom. She knew there were going to be consequences for what she did and she was terrified.

She stopped when she got to Sakon's bedroom door. The kiss Deidara gave her was still lingering on her mind and lips, but her heart ached when she thought of the possibility of Sakon actually being dead. Yes, the Konoha 14 would be safe, and he wouldn't have the power to hurt her anymore but the feelings of love, or what she believed it was, were still engraved in her heart. She reached to place her palm on the wooden door but someone grabbed her wrist in a tight painful grip.

Tayuya's head snapped to the left and the name that escaped her lips was "Sakon."

Her captor smirked, and Tayuya noticed this sadistic smirk was different, and she saw that he didn't have the red bead necklace around his neck. Tayuya inwardly groaned as her legs began to shake. "Wrong Tayuya-chan." This wasn't Sakon, it was his pissed off twin brother.

Ukon dragged Tayuya farther down the corridors towards a large metal door with dim lights on either side. He knocked on the door creating a booming echo in the silent warehouse. Tayuya felt herself losing feeling in the hand Ukon held and tried to find a way to release herself. Ukon kept his grip and once the doors opened with a bang he tossed her inside. Tayuya flew halfway across the room, landing painfully on her side. She tried to sit up but was afraid she might have gotten a fractured rib, so she positioned herself on her back and took slow breaths, trying to cease the pain. Looking around the room the glint of something metallic caught her eye. Out of the dark Kabuto approached her, fixing his round framed glasses on his face. Then she saw another shadow behind him.

"Hello Tayuya," a snake-like voice said. Tayuya froze, her breathing coming in shallow intakes, as if she were drowning. She knew to expect to receive the consequences from him.

"Lord ... Oro … chi … maru," she croaked out, feeling a stabbing pain on her side. Orochimaru approached her, his piercing yellow black slit snake eyes locking onto hers.

"Are you in pain Tayuya-chan?" he asked standing over her. He placed his foot over her injured side and pressed down. Tayuya screamed in pain until her voice became raspy and hoarse. Satisfied Orochimaru stepped back.

"You helped him Tayuya," he said expecting her to know who "he" was, and she did, the entire Sound Gang knew.

"To gain his trust," she coughed out as blood trickled from her mouth.

"What was that?" Orochimaru asked, under his snake voice Tayuya heard some genuine curiosity.

Tayuya steadied her breathing, staying calm was the only way she could successfully lie to him. "Naruto trusts me now, they all do."

"So you are saying it was all an act," Orochimaru concluded and Tayuya nodded. He swiftly and gracefully approached her again, pulling her up into a sitting position by the neck of her shirt. He ripped it in half exposing her tan skin and dark blue bra. "Then why did you pledge your loyalty to them?" he demanded looking at her wound.

"It was the only way they would believe me Lord Orochimaru, they were doubting me," Tayuya said shivering, not from the cold air in the room, but from his intense stare. "I am loyal only to you."

"You are not seriously going to believe her lies Lord Orochimaru?" Ukon asked standing at the threshold. "She got Karin and Kin arrested and my brother injured."

"Injured?" Tayuya asked turning to Ukon. He glared at her and looked to the far dark side of the room. Tayuya craned her neck to see and her mouth opened from shock. Out of the shadows of the room walked Sakon. The left side of his face was covered in bandages, as were his arm. She saw more bandages under his clothing as he walked towards her. "Sakon you're OK," she said a small feeling of relief in her body.

Sakon didn't speak he just squatted down until he was face to face with her. Tayuya could see the anger in his visible eye despite his calm exterior. It seemed like an eternity before he spoke, "You did this."

Tayuya looked at him unsure where he was going with that statement. To explain Sakon pulled of the bandages on his face. Tayuya took a sharp intake of breath when she saw the second and third degree burn marks on the left side of his face. "Sakon," she said reaching to touch his scarred face.

Sakon slapped her hand away, "You brought them to the hideout, I had to set fire to it so evidence wouldn't be uncovered, you did this to me."

"It wasn't my fault," Tayuya said but he slapped her. She spat out blood. Looking at the scarlet liquid on the ground she whispered something Sakon couldn't hear.

Grabbing her by the hair, he made her look at him, "What did you say?"

Defiance in her eyes Tayuya repeated herself, loud enough for the entire room to hear, "She will never be yours."

Sakon smirked, "And why is that?"

Tayuya bit back a yelp when he pulled tighter on her hair, "Because they will never allow it … Naruto will never let you have her."

"But Tayuya-chan don't you remember, he gave her to me," Sakon said his smirk growing wider.

"Hinata will never believe you if you tell her," Tayuya argued, her own lips forming a smirk. She expected the smug look on Sakon's face to fall but instead he reached into his pocket and pulled out something, making his smug face even more smug than possible.

"Do you think she will believe this?" Sakon asked as he held the small silver tape recorder in front of her. Tayuya's eyes widened as he pressed play and the voices floated in.

"Yeah the reason we chose her for you to tell that you loved her was because we knew that she loved you." Tayuya heard Kidomaru say. Then Kimimaro spoke, "Messing with the heart is the best type of torture." Seconds later Sakon's lustful voice was heard, "Naruto-baka, if you aren't gonna get with her can I have her?" Tayuya closed her eyes when she heard Naruto's young voice, "I don't love her, do whatever you want I don't care." Tayuya knew exactly what was next, she had heard the exchange on the recorder many times, but now she regrets not destroying it. Sakon's voice filed the room, "Oh and Naruto … No take backs."

"How did you find it?" Tayuya asked.

"I looked through your room," Sakon said and put the recorder back in his pocket. With his free hand he caressed her cheek and then moved down to her neck. Tayuya gasped when she felt him pull the thin gold chain around her neck. She heard the snap and saw the emerald stone in his hand. "You won't be needing this," he said letting her go. She fell back on the floor drained, physically and emotionally. She just wished it would all end and soon Sakon was granting her wish. His foot was pressed on Tayuya's throat, cutting off her air, making her suffocate. She flailed around like a fish without water, clawing at his boots. Just as she was about to lose consciousness she heard Orochimaru's voice.

"Enough Sakon," he said, "She could still be of use to us."

"And how is that Lord Orochimaru?" Sakon asked stepping away from Tayuya's gasping body.

"She must prove her loyalty to me," Orochimaru said approaching her. He looked down at Tayuya, locking eyes with her. "And to do that she must kill Naruto Uzumaki."

Monday, March 24 7:15 am Konoha High Soccer Field

Deidara walked quietly across the dew covered grass. He didn't want to disturb the girl on the field dressed in green soccer shorts with black tights underneath, and despite the morning cold, a dark gray sports bra. He watched in amazement as she controlled the black and white ball between her feet. Her long red hair was pulled up by a black scrunchy, falling to the small of her back like a waterfall. As Deidara got closer he saw a light blanket of sweat on her body. She glistened like diamonds when the sun's rays broke through the dense clouds and touched her skin.

With the agility of a panther and the grace of a swan, Tayuya ran down the field and aimed the ball. Kicking it swiftly, it soared across the remaining distance straight into the goal. With a satisfied grin she ran back to the center of the field and for the first time saw that someone had been watching her.

"I didn't know you played soccer," Deidara said.

"Not really something I tell people," Tayuya said approaching him at the sidelines. She grabbed the water bottle beside her sports bag and took a sip. Tayuya noticed he wouldn't take his eyes off her. She felt insecure under his gaze, but didn't want to show it, so she put on her haughty facade. "The reason I do this so early in the morning is because no one bothers me."

Deidara smiled, "You should tell people," when he saw the slight confusion on her face he continued, "That you play soccer, you're really good."

"Do you want something?" Tayuya asked putting down the bottle.

"Besides you," Deidara said and smiled wider when she ducked her head, embarrassed, "I came to return this." He handed her a white present box. As she got closer Deidara noticed the bruises on her side and around her neck. He felt a fire erupt deep inside him.

When she was in arms reach Deidara dropped the present on the grass and enveloped her in a hug, careful not to hurt her side. "Who gave you these bruises?"

Tayuya winced at the anger in his voice, and feared that her response would get him angrier. "I can't tell you."

"Tayuya," he said angrily and looked her in the eyes. Tayuya saw his were red and glassy, he was trying to hold back tears. "Please tell me, I will protect you."

Tayuya shook her head and pulled away, 'I couldn't live with myself if they hurt you,' she thought. Deidara reached for her but she slapped his hand away. "Get away from me!" She shouted with all her might. She looked at him and saw the defiance in his eyes, he didn't want to go anywhere. "Leave Deidara! I don't ever want to see you again!" Tayuya picked up the present and threw it at his feet and out fell the olive green dress, her olive green dress.

"Please," she begged, a single tear sliding down her cheek, camouflaging itself in the dew drops of the grass, "Please don't ever talk to me again, don't ever look at me again, don't ever hold me again … please Deidara, don't ever let me fall in love with you again."

Deidara felt his heart break as he looked at the only girl who ever made him feel this way crying. She didn't want him, and despite his need to be near her, he decided that if she didn't want him to talk to her, to look at her, to hold her, or to love her then he would obey her wishes, as long at it made her happy, even if it killed him inside. Without a word he simply looked at her one last time, and turned around. He walked until his legs felt like lead, and his shoulders carried the weight of his heartache. Deidara collapsed in front of Kakashi's classroom and let his grief wash over him, drowning him like a tidal wave.

Tayuya grabbed the dress and saw the blood stain on it. It had faded to a murky brown. The cut over her heart seemed to burn and dig further into her skin, until she heard it break her own heart into pieces. She softly laid on the grass, the dress held tightly in her fingers. She began to sob, until she couldn't help but scream in agony. She heard herself make a noise that she never made before, not even when she was being tortured at the hands of the Sound or Orochimaru, a noise that she knew signified that she lost love, something worse than losing her own life. Every word she said to him she regretted, but as long as he was safe, she told herself that was all that mattered.

Kakashi's Classroom 7:55 am

Itachi walked down the hallway towards Kakashi's class. As he got closer he saw a bundle covered by an Akatsuki coat lying near the door. Squatting down he saw that it had blonde hair. He pulled off the coat and saw that it was Deidara. Itachi stared at him. His friend was lying on the floor staring off into space, his eyes a dark shade of blue, almost black. They were unfocused, almost lifeless. "Deidara, are you alright?" he asked.

Deidara didn't respond. Itachi knew he had to snap his friend out of his catatonic state before everyone else arrived. Itachi lifted Deidara up by placing his arm around his shoulder. He opened the class door and walked inside. Gently Itachi put him in Kakashi's chair. Sitting on Kakashi's desk Itachi looked at him. "What's wrong man?"

"Tayuya doesn't want me around her anymore," Deidara whispered softly. Itachi shook his head.

"She probably didn't mean it, you know how mean she can be," Itachi said trying to cheer him up.

"She meant it," Deidara said, "Because usually what she says doesn't hurt me, but this time, everything she said … it's killing me."

"What exactly did she say?" Itachi asked and saw Deidara flinch.

Swallowing the lump in his throat Deidara told Itachi. "She said to never talk to her, to never look at her, to never hold her, to never let her fall in love with me … she wants nothing to do with me."

"There's got to be a reason she said all that," Itachi said rubbing his chin. Deidara didn't respond, be just retreated into his shell.

"Hey Itachi," Naruto said as he and the teens walked in. Itachi hadn't realized the bell had rung. He turned to them and saw that his little brother was almost as bad as Deidara. Sasuke had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. Although Sakura was doing better and would be discharged from the hospital that Friday, Sasuke was still worried.

"Hey kids," Itachi said trying to block their view of Deidara, but it didn't work.

"What's wrong with him?" Tobi asked. The teens looked around Itachi and saw Deidara on the chair.

"He has a broken heart," Itachi explained.

"Who broke it?" Kiba asked as the teens gathered around the desk.

"Tayuya," Deidara whispered.

Itachi herded the teens aways from the desk, "Let's leave him alone for a while." The teens nodded and got into their seats. The rest of the class got in before the late bell rang, but their teacher was nowhere to be seen.

Temari, Tenten, Matsuri, Hannya, and Ino were talking amongst themselves about the Welcome back party they were planning to give Sakura. Tobi, Kankuro, and Gaara were talking about random subjects, anything to fill to silence. Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba and with some help from Sasuke as he zoned in and out of the world around him, were writing the lyrics to the new song Naruto got the idea to write after he heard Sasuke say he would rescue Sakura until his heart stopped beating. Hinata sat in her seat in silence. She wore a large baggy sweater and sweats, despite it being against school code Tsunade let her wear it. Her friends decided to give her some space, and not to overwhelm her with their sympathy, since they did not want her to feel as if they pitied her. She had made it clear that that was something she never wanted from them.

Hinata just wasn't sure what to do. Every time she turned around she swears she catches a glimpse of him before whatever trace of his disappeared. She despised this, living in fear every second. She knew her friends would look out for her, but Hinata has seen what the Sound was capable of when they wanted something badly. However this just brings her to another question, why does Sakon want her in the first place? Of all the girls in the school, why her? She prayed that he was really dead. Hinata placed her head on the desk and closed her eyes, hoping maybe she would find her answers in the dark, since they hid in the light.

"Ok, Kiba can you rap?" Naruto asked in what seemed like out of the blue.

"I'm not sure, maybe, but why?" Kiba asked, raising a brow at their leader.

"I just feel this song needs a rap, something upbeat," Naruto explained.

"How about having Shikamaru beat box?" Kankuro suggested from behind them, after their conversation caught his attention.

"Dude!" Shikamaru shouted lifting his head from the desk, "You said you would keep that a secret!"

"You beat box Shika?" Neji asked a smirk on his face.

"No!" Shikamaru tried to deny but then broke down, "Yes, Kisame's been teaching me." He hid his face in his arms.

"Cool, can we hear some of it?" Naruto asked. Shikamaru lifted his head up and looked at the eager faces of his friends. With a small blush on his face he stood up and brought his hands in front of him and began.

A sound similar to glass breaking erupted from his mouth as his hands moved to keep am invisible beat. A hypnotic sound escaped his lips catching the rest of the attention of the class. He brought one hand to his mouth and moved the other in front of him, imitating a DJ scratching the turntables as the same sound left his mouth. After a minute of beating sounds Shikamaru ended, his chest rising faster than normal and placed his hands at his side. Everyone clapped, even Deidara clapped once or twice.

"Shika-kun," Temari said from her seat, "That was great! Why didn't you tell me you could beat box?"

Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head, "It was suppose to be a secret, but now that you all know it's troublesome."

"Oh, c'mon Shikamaru," Naruto said getting up to pat his friend on the back, "that was amazing, we're definitely putting in a part for your beat boxing in this song. I can't believe you're not too lazy to do that man." He delivered a painful pat that made Shikamaru stumble a bit.

"So how about the rap Kiba?" Neji asked.

"If I can write it then I'll do it," Kiba said and his band mates agreed.

"I think we can fit Shikamaru's beat box after this line," Naruto said pointing to one of the song lines scribbled on the notepad.

"What else can we add before this line?" Neji asked, "It feels like there should be a line to transition to the chorus."

"What about 'Mamoritai kono egao wo'?" Sasuke asked, "It rhymes with the world alone from the chorus and it's something I would say to Sakura."

"Nice," Naruto said and got back in his seat to write the line. As Shikamaru sat down, Kakashi opened the door and walked inside.

"Sorry I'm late class, I had to take my mother-in-law to the hospital," Kakashi said.

"LIAR!" Naruto shouted pointing an accusing finger but once the words sunk in he said, "Wait. What?"

"Is Ai OK?" Hinata asked worriedly, the first sentence she said since Saturday.

Kakashi put his suitcase on his desk and loosened his tie. His visible eye was drowsy and sleepy. "I'm not sure," he said answering Hinata's question, "She had a stroke, the doctor said she needed rest but that was all they told me."

"How's Aome?" Tobi asked getting up from his seat.

"She doesn't know, An – a friend of mine drove her to school before it happened," Kakashi said. The Konoha 14 and Akatsuki members new which of Kakashi's friends drove Aome to school, it was a certain purple haired psycho.

"When are you going to tell her?" Tobi asked, worried about Aome's reaction.

"Later, during nutrition can you tell her to come to the classroom?" Kakashi asked, "I have to find a good way to tell her this."

"Don't beat around the bush tell her straight out," Itachi said getting off Kakashi's desk. Kakashi was about to sit down when he noticed his seat was already occupied.

"What's Deidara doing in my chair?" Kakashi asked looking at the almost lifeless blonde.

"Just like you he had a really bad morning," Itachi said getting Deidara up off the chair, "I'll get him back to Anko, maybe a few laps around the track will help wake him up."

Once Itachi and Deidara left Kakashi sat in his chair and pulled out his little book to relax. Someone in the room cleared their throat until Kakashi looked up.

"Aren't you going to teach us something?" Hannya asked while others nodded.

"It's Monday," Kakashi said, "No one likes Mondays so just go back to what you were doing and relax."

"I'm guessing passing the final exam will be easy," Tenten whispered to the girls.

The boys writing the lyrics went back to their work. Naruto stole a glance at Hinata before he turned back to ask, "Ok, where can we put Kiba's rap?"

Nutrition

Aome walked hand in hand with Tobi. She grew confused when he led her towards her father's classroom. "Why are we going to see my father?" she asked.

Tobi stopped in front of the classroom and held Aome by the shoulders. "Aome something happened this morning and your dad wants to tell you about it, but he's not sure how," Tobi explained.

"What happened Tobi-kun?" Aome asked becoming very nervous.

"It's best if he tell you, but it could take him a while to find the right words, so be patient with him OK?" Tobi said. He kissed her on the forehead and opened the door for her. Aome nodded and walked in, not letting go of his hand until he closed the door. Tobi leaned against it trying to listen in. Not able to hear much he peeked inside through the small glass window. He saw Kakashi standing in front of his daughter. His mouth seemed to be moving, but Tobi wasn't sure until he saw Aome begin to cry and run for the door. Kakashi stopped her and held her tightly against him. He rocked back and forth, running his fingers through her hair, trying to calm her. Tobi knew he told her what had happened, and knowing Aome as well a he did, she had tried to run away to find the closets car that would take her to the hospital.

Kakashi looked at the door and signaled Tobi to enter. Tobi walked in and Kakashi let go of Aome, to allow her to latch onto Tobi. She cried into his school shirt and he buried his face in her head. "Everything's going to be fine Aome-chan," Tobi said.

"That's what she always said," Aome sobbed.

Tobi pulled away far enough to move his hands under her chin and lift her eyes to meet his. He shook his head, "Not said Aome, says. Your Grandmother is tough you know she's not going to give up without a fight."

Aome nodded a small smile on her face. She turned to her father, "When can I go see her?"

Kakashi held a hand to his heart, "I promise we will go immediately after school, I'll even get you from Kurenai's class five minutes before the final bell."

Aome agreed and hugged her father, thanking him. Kakashi smiled and kissed the top of her head, "Now I know it will be hard but please focus on your studies OK."

"I'll try," Aome promised.

"Mind if I go along?" Tobi asked as Aome placed her hand in his.

"Sure, Aome needs you, you give her strength," Kakashi said patting him on the back. Tobi smiled, proud that he could give such an important virtue to someone he loved.

Meanwhile outside in the quad

Hinata sat in silence while the rest of her friends talked and laughed around her. She felt numb but tried her best to put on a happy facade. Matsuri saw how Hinata became so introverted, and she understood how she felt. Matsuri got up and walked to Hinata. She grabbed Hinata's hand. "Let's take a walk."

Confused Hinata got up and let Matsuri lead her. Matsuri led her to the bleachers on the track. It was a secluded area around this time with the sun shining. They sat on the fifth bleacher from the top. "Where are we?" Hinata asked softly.

"The bleachers, one of my favorite places in school," Matsuri said throwing her head back letting the sun warm her face.

"Why?" Hinata asked turning to Matsuri's outline.

"Because I know how your feeling Hinata," Matsuri said grabbing Hinata's hand once again.

"You weren't close to being raped," Hinata said pulling her hand away.

"I know, but like you I have felt weak, powerless, and like everything was my fault," Matsuri explained gently. Hinata didn't respond so Matsuri continued. "But Sakura was right, everything that happened to me at the hands of my father, wasn't my fault. Just like everything that happened at the hands of Sakon, none of it is your fault."

"I know that," Hinata said.

"Do you really?" Matsuri asked.

Hinata shook her head, "No." She wiped at her eyes and continued, "I keep thinking that it was something I did, something I said that made him come after me. I just wish I knew why he did this to me."

Matsuri bit her lip drawing blood but in a calm voice said, "We will probably never know. Hinata do you remember that one song that your mother recorded with mine."

" 'Because of You'?" Hinata asked.

"Yeah, and remember the commentary your mother gave about the origins of the song," Matsuri said, "How it was written because my mom's parents were in the middle of a really bad divorce and she felt afraid." Hinata nodded. "And despite all that she learned never to let her life turn out like theirs, full of hate and misery. Hinata, don't let Sakon take your happiness, your love, you peace of mind, don't let him take your life. It's too precious. Don't think about the what ifs, like what if I ran, what if I fought back harder. Don't feel guilty about what happened, if anyone should be feeling guilty it's Sakon. Hinata I know it will take time to feel safe, or anything at all, but you know we are here for you, and by we I mean me, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Neji, Tenten, Gaara, Ino, Kiba, Shikamaru, Temari, Hannya, Kankuro, Itachi, Kisame, Pein, Konan, Tobi, Aome, Sasori, Deidara, Hanabi, Kakashi, Anko, Jiraiya, Sai, Tsunade, Shizune, Iruka, Genma and all our parents. Never feel like you have no one to turn to. You're not alone."

Hinata and Matsuri sat in silence after Matsuri finished talking. The bell signaling the end of nutrition rang. Hinata stood up. Cautiously she held out her hand, "Matsuri, can you help me to class?"

"Of course," Matsuri said getting up. The girls walked hand in hand back to class where for the first time in days Hinata started a conversation.

Naruto pulled Matsuri aside after the ending bell for third rang. "Hinata's finally talking to us," he said a huge smile on his face.

"Yeah, I just told her how I understood what she was going through, and how none of what happened is ever her fault," Matsuri said. Naruto smiled wider but then he noticed the sliver of blood on Matsuri's lip.

"What happened to your lip?"

"Nothing," Matsuri said but she couldn't keep back a biting tone and said, "I was just protecting your secret." Naruto felt like she had punched him in the stomach.

"Dammit Matsuri," he said harshly punching the wall beside her head, "Don't you think I know that this is my fault!"

"I'm sorry Naruto," Matsuri said softly, "But you know better than I that there are just some things one cannot take back." Matsuri walked around him and went to join the others. Naruto wiped away his angry tears before he followed.

Konoha Hospital 3:45 pm

Aome jumped out of the car before her father parked. Tobi ran after her and caught up with Aome at the receptionist's desk. "Where is Ai Sato's room?"

"Second floor, room 22," the nurse responded. Aome sprinted off while Tobi yelled a thank you as he followed.

Instead of waiting for the elevator Aome ran up the stairs, Tobi tried to keep up. Once he got to the second floor he saw Aome standing outside the hospital room. "You don't want to go in?" he asked as he stood beside her. He looked in through the small window pane and saw Ai on the hospital bed, looking so weak and fragile like glass, her eyes closed.

"I've never seen her like this," Aome said closing her eyes, "I'm scared."

"You don't have to go in alone," Kakashi said as he walked towards the teens carrying a bouquet of flowers. He handed them to Tobi. He held Aome's right hand while Tobi held her left. "We'll go in together." Kakashi opens the door and stepped in first. Aome takes a deep breath and walks in.

Kakashi and Tobi stay back and allow Aome to take the seat beside the bed. She looks at her grandmother and with trembling fingers Aome grabs her hand. She strokes it lightly and sees the dark blue viens on her pale skin. "Please don't leave me Grandma Ai."

Suddenly she feels a slight pressure on her hand. Ai opens her eyes and looks at Aome. She smiled weakly and said, "Sweetie, I am not going anywhere yet."

"Grandma!" Aome shouted and hugged her, Ai hugged her back.

"Aome, be careful," Kakashi said. Aome pulled back and wiped away her happy tears.

"Sorry," Aome said.

"Don't be sweetie," Ai said stroking Aome's hand, "I will be out of here in no time."

"That's great!" Tobi said pumping a fist in the air.

"Tobi, use your inside voice," Kakashi said with a hidden smile.

"Sorry about that," Tobi said rubbing the back of his head.

"That's alright," Ai said. The three stayed with Ai for an hour before the doctor came in to kick them out, saying that Ai needed to rest. Aome reluctantly walked out the door after kissing her grandmother on the forehead. She, Tobi and Kakashi decided to drop by and visit Sakura. When they got there they saw Sasuke was already there.

"Hey," Sasuke greeted them when they walked in. Sakura waved at them.

"Yo," Kakashi responded while Aome and Tobi sat on the bed, careful not to hurt Sakura, who was still lying on her stomach.

"How are you feeling?" Aome asked.

"Sore, but better," Sakura said with a smile, "I just want to be home already, and at school."

"Yeah, you have a lot of catching up to do," Tobi said, "Asuma had been giving a lot of work."

"Oh those new questions for the next four chapters?" Sakura asked and a smirk formed on her face, "I finished those last week."

"What!" Tobi shouted in disbelief. "How?"

"A photographic memory helps," Sakura said and patted his hand comfortingly.

"You mind if I take a look at-"

"I won't let you copy."

"Oh come on!"

Aome smiled at their bickering. She missed these moments. The moments of pure happiness and bliss, moments that were disappearing more rapidly than before. And she had a feeling the speed would continue. After a half hour Kakashi tells the teens it's best to leave and let Sakura rest. Sasuke tried to convince Kakashi to let him stay but Sakura told him he should go rest as well, there was nothing to worry about. Aome, Tobi and Kakashi walked out the door, but when Aome noticed Sasuke wasn't behind them she went back to get him. She was about to walk in when she heard them talking, not wanting to interrupt she stood at the door. She realized she was able to hear their conversation.

"Sasuke," she heard Sakura say softly and uncertainly, "What do you really think abut my hair?" Aome imagined Sakura picking at a lock of her short hair as she said this, and just like Sakura probably was, Aome held her breath waiting to hear Sasuke's response. Aome knew from what everyone told her that Sasuke really liked girls with long hair. Itachi said Sasuke never dated anyone with short hair, according to Itachi, no Uchiha did.

"It's fine," Aome heard Sasuke say and let out the breath she was holding. Then she heard Sasuke continue, "Besides your hair will grow back and you'll be beautiful again." Aome put a hand to her mouth, shocked by what she heard. She felt her own heart tear and knew Sakura's must have broken.

"Yeah," Aome heard Sakura say in a shaky tone, "Bye Sasuke." Aome wanted to go inside and hit Sasuke and comfort Sakura, but she knew she shouldn't have been eavesdropping in the first place. As Sasuke got closer to the door Aome sprinted to where Tobi and Kakashi were waiting.

"He's coming," she announced slowing down as she got closer. Tobi noticed the hitch in her voice and her red eyes.

"Aome-chan, are you OK?" Tobi asked pulling her into his arms.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said and began to hiccup. Sasuke arrived a few seconds later and saw Aome. She stood by the car in a zombie like state.

"You OK kid?" he asked poking her in the cheek. Aome slapped his hand away and glared at him.

"I'm fine," she said through gritted teeth. She got into the front passenger seat, slamming the car door.

"Did I do something?" Sasuke asked confused. Tobi and Kakashi shrugged their shoulders, confused as well.

Friday, March 28 Haruno Residence 9:00 am

Koutetsu helped Sakura into the house. She walked stiffly from days being in bed, and the soreness from some physical therapy they had her do. In retrospect, Sakura was just happy to be walking at all. After getting her up the stairs and settled in her bedroom Koutetsu ran back outside to fetch the bags. Yuri walked up the stairs to bring Sakura some breakfast.

"Mom," Sakura said taking the food tray from her mother, "You shouldn't be carrying anything heavy."

"It's just syrup-coated anko dumplings, miso soup, and umeboshi, your favorite," Yuri said pinching Sakura's cheek, "You lost a few pound didn't you?"

"I guess," Sakura said and ran her hands through her short hair, "Mom what's the main feature Dad likes about you?"

"He always said it's my hands," Yuri said holding them out for Sakura to see. Sakura let them hover over hers as if touching them would ruin them, just like Karin ruined her hair. She saw her mother's creamy thin fingers and perfect skin, not a callus or scar in sight. She lightly touched them and felt the softness she had always known.

"Your hands are perfect Mom," Sakura said choking back tears.

"Sweetie what's wrong?" Yuri asked. She brought Sakura down to sit beside her on the bed and held Sakura's head to her chest.

"Sasuke won't like me anymore," Sakura cried, "He loves my long hair, Karin was right, I'm ugly without it."

"Sakura," Yuri said patting her on the head, "Sasuke loves you for you, not for what you look like … Your father doesn't love my hands because of what they look like." Koutetsu walked into the bedroom with the suitcases and saw the scene in front of him.

"What happened?" he asked taking a seat on Sakura's other side. They sat with Sakura in between them.

"Koutetsu, tell Sakura why you love my hands," Yuri said, "Now listen Sakura." She wiped Sakura's nose with her sleeve.

Koutetsu smiled and reached for Yuri's hand, "I love your mother's hand because they fit perfectly in mine. They are always warm not matter the temperature. They make the best damn meals in the world. They can fix everything that's broken, and because they have held my heart for the last seventeen years and have never broken it." Over the top of Sakura's head Yuri and Koutetsu share a kiss. Sakura giggled.

"Ok, I get it Mom, Dad truly loves you," Sakura said smiling softly.

"And Sasuke loves you," Yuri assured her, "You're beautiful. Now eat something." Yuri pushed the food tray towards her. Sakura grabbed her chopsticks and took a bite of a dumpling. Her parents smiled and left the room. Once she no longer heard their footsteps she push the food away and laid down on her stomach.

Sakura knew that as a mother, her mother had to say that she was beautiful. She felt that Karin was right, Sasuke wouldn't like her without her long hair, he showed her that on Monday. She had cried herself to sleep that night and the nights afterwards, her photographic memory not allowing her to forget his words, his hopeful expression as he said it. She wanted to cry once again so she went to her bathroom and turned on the shower. Letting the warm water fall on her hand was soothing so she decided to take a bath. She grabbed her bathrobe from the chair on her vanity and grabbed a change of clothes.

Inside the bathroom as the water ran she stripped off her clothes. Before she stepped into the water, she caught her reflection on the bathroom mirror. Fading bruises ran along her arms, sides and stomach. There were faint cuts on her chin from where Kin pressed the knife. She turned around and saw on the right side of her back by her waist there was a star shaped scar. Sakura pressed it lightly, remembering the hot pain of the bullet, a feeling she would never forget. She let her hand fall to her side and stepped into the bathtub. Sakura slowly let herself sit in the tub slowly filling up with water and stayed there for more than an hour, crying.

Once she didn't think she could cry anymore she washed her hair and her body, carefully. She rinsed and stepped out of the tub, drying herself off with a towel. She got dressed in shorts and a tank top and wrapped her bathrobe around her. She realized she no longer had to wrap her hair in a towel. She opened the door allowing the steam to exit into her bedroom. She saw it was almost 11:30. She grabbed her cellphone and saw she had missed calls from the entire Konoha 14 and Akatsuki. She dialed Ino's number.

"Forehead-girl!" Ino shouted and Sakura knew she was on speaker.

"Hey Ino, hey everyone," she said.

Immediately numerous voices filled her room through the phone. "Back off everyone," Ino said, "So Sakura how are you doing?"

"Better I guess," Sakura said.

"Well, we can't wait to see you," Ino said excitedly, "We have a big surprise for you."

"Actually Ino," Sakura said with a sigh, "I'm not up to do anything today."

"What? Why?" Ino asked.

Sakura was about to answer when she heard Sasuke's voice say, "Here, let me talk to her." Immediately Sakura hung up. She threw her phone across the room and placed her face on her pillow. Soon she found new tears.

Meanwhile at Konoha High during Nutrition

"She hung up," Sasuke said handing Ino back the phone.

"She sounded upset, any idea why?" Naruto directed his question to Sasuke. He shrugged.

"I know why she's upset," Aome said. Everyone turned to her.

"What is it?" Hinata asked.

"I think Sasuke needs to hear it first," Aome said and beckoned Sasuke to get closer to her. Sasuke bend down until he was at eye level with the fifteen year old. Aome looked at him with a glare and proceeded to punch him square in the nose.

"AOME!" Everyone shouted.

"What the HELL!" Sasuke shouted as he grabbed his bleeding nose.

"How could you not fucken remember what you said to Sakura!" Aome shouted. Students had turned to see what the commotion was about, ever since the dance last Friday everyone kept an eye out for the Konoha 14. Sasuke looked at the young girl confused as blood gushed out of his nose. "After she asked you what you though about her hair you told her and I quote 'besides your hair will grow back and you'll be beautiful again.'"

Sasuke's eyes widened and he stood there shocked. He heard the girls gasp and felt the glaring eyes of the boys. "I didn't mean to say that, I don't care abut the length of her hair."

"Why didn't you just tell her that then?" Aome asked angrily.

"I wasn't thinking, God, she must hate me," Sasuke said running his hands through his shoulder length hair, staining it with blood. "I have to talk to her."

"I don't think that's a good idead nii-san," Hinata said, "We'll talk to her later, you go to the nurse, guys can you take him?" The Konoha 14 boys and Akatsuki boys nodded and led Sasuke out of the quad towards the nurses office.

"Now we have to wait until schools over, great," Temari said. She and the girls sighed.

Nurse's office

The nurse finished bandaging Sasuke's nose, and placed an ice pack on it. He sat on the bed while the boys stood around him.

"Ok, we know you messed up," Naruto said, "And before we beat the crap out of you, how are you gonna fix it."

"I don't know," Sasuke said, "The girls are right, she's not going to want to talk to me right now … I just have to tell her that I love her no matter what she looks like. Even if she hates herself, I love this her that she hates."

"That was beautiful," Itachi said ruffling up Sasuke's hair, "But she's not gonna want to listen to you."

"Unless we make her," Shikamaru said.

"That's it," Kiba agreed snapping his fingers.

"Brilliant," Neji said with a nod. The rest of the boys looked at those three confused, except one.

"Let me explain what we are thinking," Naruto said, "Answer me this, what is Fox Five good at?"

"Playing instruments?" Kankuro asked.

"Making noise in the middle of the night?" Pein asked getting a glare from the band.

"No," Naruto said before Pein made another rude comment, "We are good at expressing emotions and thoughts through song right?"

"I guess," the other boys mumbled.

"So that's exactly what we will do with this situation," Naruto said, "But this time Sasuke, you are gonna sing as well."

3:30 Haruno residence

Konan parked her car outside Sakura's house. The girls piled out of the car, stretching from being cooped up the small car for twenty minutes. They opened the gate and walked to the door. Matsuri knocked and Yuri answered. She looked relieved when she saw the girls.

"She locked herself in her room," Yuri said, "She hasn't eaten since around nine in the morning, I'm really worried."

"Don't be Yuri-san," Konan said, "We'll talk to her."

"Good luck," Yuri said as they walked up the stairs. The girls stood outside Sakura's white door. They knocked.

"Mom," they heard Sakura's voice, strained and hoarse say, "I don't want to talk right now."

"It's not your mom, Sakura-chan," Ino said, "It's us." No response.

"Sakura open the door or we'll break it down," Hannya threatened. Still no response.

"Temari, Tenten, break down the door," Sakura heard Hinata say. Quickly she opened her door and Temari and Tenten ran inside and did somersaults on the bed.

"You guys were actually gonna do it," Sakura said in disbelief. The girls smiled.

"It's like you don't even know us," Ino said hugging Sakura lightly. "What's with the baseball cap?" Ino flicked the black cap on Sakura's head.

"I don't want anyone to see how ugly I am," Sakura said.

"You're not ugly," Matsuri said.

"Please, even Sai calls me Ugly," Sakura said wiping at her eyes.

"He stopped doing that a while ago," Hinata said, "After Naruto threatened him." Sakura shook her head and grabbed a tissue. She blew her nose, making it more red.

"You girls just don't get it," Sakura gave a bitter laugh.

"Sakura it's just hair," Konan said.

Sakura turned to them looking at their long hair, her eyes full of jealousy, "That's easy for you to say … Get out."

"Sakura," the girls pleaded.

"GET OUT NOW!" Sakura shouted scaring the girls. They complied and walked out of the room. Sakura slammed the door behind them. Defeated, they walk downstairs. They give Yuri an apologetic look and Yuri hugged them each. They say goodbye and head back to the car. Konan turns to the house and sees Sakura draw the curtains of her window.

The grils pile into the car and Konan brings the engine to life. They drive in silence until Aome says, "Konan I think you were suppose to turn back there."

"Actually we are not going home just yet," Konan said. The girls exchanged confused expressions. In ten minutes Konan pulled up at a small building.

The girls got out. "What are we doing here?" Temari asked.

Konan smiled, "We are gonna show Sakura that hair is just hair."

7:00 pm Hyuuga Mansion

Hinata and Konan walked into the Hyuuga mansion wearing baseball caps. Hanabi and Konohamaru where sitting on the couch reading from their textbooks. "Hey you two," Konan greeted.

"Hey," they greeted back and looked up from their books, "What's with the hats?"

"It's a surprise for tomorrow," Hinata answered. "Where are Neji, Sasuke, and Itachi?"

"They're in the band room with the rest of Fox Five, Kankuro, Gaara and the rest of the Akatsuki," Hanabi answered. She angled her head hoping to get a glimpse under her sister's cap, but she couldn't see anything. Though she did wonder how all of Hinata's hair could fit under that cap.

"We're gonna check on them," Konan said grabbing Hinata's hand. She sort of jumped at the unexpected contact but relaxed in seconds. She let Konan lead her to the band room. Konan opened the door and helped Hinata down the steps, "What are you boys up to?" Konan looked around and saw the rest of Fox Five and Sasuke with notepads and wads of paper crumpled at their feet. Itachi was using Hinata's computer, pressing for different sounds from different instruments. Gaara had Kiba's base guitar, and Kankuro was sitting at Shikamaru's drum set. The Akatsuki where looking over Fox Five and Sasuke's shoulders pointing out things on the notepads.

"Hey Konan, Hinata," they greeted without looking up.

"Hinata can you come here and help us out," Naruto said. Konan led her towards him. She sat in between him and Sasuke. "Well we – what's with the hat?"

Hinata patted her cap, "It's a surprise for Sakura tomorrow."

"Well we got one for her too, if we can finish it," Naruto said.

"We're here to help," Konan said taking a seat opposite Pein. He smirked and the room went back to work.
Saturday, March 28, Haruno Residence 7:00 pm

Sakura laid on her bed, still wearing the baseball cap, her eyes and nose were red and puffy. She wore some sweats and a thin sweater. Sakura was drifting in and out of sleep for the last few hours. Sleep kept her mind off the fact that she was starving since Friday morning.

"Sakura," Yuri said from behind the door, "The girls are hear to see you."

"I don't want to see them right now," Sakura responded.

"Sakura, we really want you to see this," Matsuri's voice floated in.

"It's really important," Hinata said, "Please Sakura." The girls continued to plead until their begging wore Sakura down. She got up weakly and headed to the door. She opened it and saw her girl friends all wearing baseball caps.

"Why are you guy wearing those? Are you guys making fun of me?" Sakura asked her voice rising.

"No, silly," Ino said. She grabbed Sakura's arm and led her to her large vanity mirror. The girls crowded in making sure everyone's reflection showed. "On the count of three, one … two… three!" The girls pulled off their baseball caps. Sakura stares at each reflection. The silver waves that had reached Aome's waist were now cute chin length waves. Ino's long hair was now neck length, flipped outwards with her bangs still covering her right eye. Tenten's long wavy locks where now chin length layers flipping outwards, with bangs swept to the right. Temari's hair no longer reaching two inches down her shoulders was in cool spikes, complimenting her face. Hannya's strawberry blond ice blue highlighted locks were cut into short layers with uneven bangs swept to the left. Sakura was surprised by Matsuri's hair. Her long brown hair was traded in for a edgy short crop with a large bang over her right eye. Konan's hair was in uneven layers with uneven bangs, her flower clip still tucked behind her ear. Hinata's blue ink hair was neck length in an uneven bob cut with the left side longer than the right. (A/N Check out my profile for the link to the picture of the girls' new haircuts)

"What do you think?" Hinata asked.

"I can't believe you did this," Sakura said looking at their smiling reflections, "You're all so beautiful."

"And so are you," Konan said taking off Sakura's cap. Sakura looked at her reflection. Her short pixie cut hair looked different to her now. It didn't look so bad anymore. Ino reached for a comb and swept some bangs over Sakura's right eye and created volume in some of the shorter strands.

"Perfect," Ino said. Sakura looked in the mirror and smiled widely. The girls gathered in a group hug.

"I love you girls," Sakura said a tear running down her cheek.

"We know, and we love you too," Hinata said, "Which is why we have another surprise." Konan leads Hinata who is holding Sakura's hand to the window. Tenten opens it wide and Sakura peers outside. There in her lawn stood Fox Five sans Hinata, Sasuke, Gaara, Kankuro, and the Akatsuki sans Konan. Sakura saw Sasuke standing in front of a microphone stand. He wore a black leather jacket over a red shirt and black jeans with black boots. He also had sunglasses on and Sakura saw a bandage on his nose. Naruto was standing on his right, with Neji and Kiba on his left. Shikamaru was sitting at his drum set, Kankuro was beside the set and Gaara was by the speakers. They all wore black jeans, boots, and different shades an styles of red shirts. Sakura saw the ground littered with wires and the Akatsuki standing next to the power outlets scattered around.

Sasuke held the microphone in his hands standing in front of the stand. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. It wasn't his first time singing, but it was his first time signing in front of people. He looked up at Sakura's bedroom window and saw her peering out. "Naruto I think it's time."

Naruto nodded and finished tuning his guitar. He stepped in front of his microphone. "Hey Sakura-neechan!" He said and his voice caused the ground to vibrate, "Sasuke's got something to say to you."

Through his sunglasses Sasuke locked eyes with Sakura. "Sakura-chan, I didn't mean what I said, I don't care how long your hair is, you will alway be beautiful to me no matter what. I love you and I love this you even of you hate it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I love you as you are so you should love yourself." With that Naruto, Neji, Kiba, and Shikamaru began to play their instruments. Naruto sang the first lines.

Kisetsu wa mata meguri mekurumeku machi

Daremo kimi no koto wo ki ni tomezu mawaru

Sasuke sang next, not taking his eyes off Sakrua.

Sonna no dou demo ii

Tada kimi ga soba ni ireba ii

Yasashii kotoba dake narabete mo imi wa nai

Minna katachi dake nakami wa nai

Kanjiru Balance chotto kaete mireba

Sekai wa subarashiku miete kuru

Sasuke and Naruto sang together next.

Love yourself

Mou muri shinaide

Kokoro no mama kimi no mama

Kagayakeru ai todokete

Kimi ga kirai na kimi ga suki

When Sasuke sang the last line of the verse Sakura felt her heart swell with joy. 'He loves me?' She then heard Neji and Shikamaru singing.

Bukiyou na kimi de ii

Kanjiru mama kaze no mama

Hana no you ni sora ni matte

Kimi ga kirai na kimi wo tsutsumu

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

Kiba tossed Gaara his guitar. Gaara began to play it while Kiba grabbed a mic and began to rap.

Ur crazy nara tada mada Like Paradise

Kara Dice naga U make me fool

Sora moypu wa Like a horror

Don't be shy baby xoxo kiss the girl

Kiba joined Naruto and Sasuke towards the front letting Gaara continue to play.

Mawari wa dou demo ii

Taisetsu na no wa kimi no koto dake

Kimari no "ganbare" nante ima wa iranai

Sore ga ichiban kizutsuku kara

Nanatsu No kotoba wa kimi no ni

Sore de subete ga hitotsu no yume ni

At this point Kankuro took over the drums from Shikamaru, he stood beside Neji, who continued to play the base.

Love yourself

Sou hibiki au

Futari kanaderu chiisa na no

Shinjireru ai sodatete

Kimi ga kirai na kimi ga suki

Kujikesou na mainichi mo

Kiete shimaisou na yoru mo

Sore wo koe kikoete kuru

Tooku tooku hora kono mune ni

I'm singin' my love to you

So that u would tell me that

U wanna be with me and I feel like... Ah ah

My love your love my life your life

This is a new..

It's a new world..

"He does love me," Sakura whispered. The girls smiled.

It's a new world Kagayaki dasu

Kokoro no mama kimi no mama

Sono hito ni wo boku ni azukete

Kimi ga kirai na kimi ga suki

Bukiyou na kimi de ii

Kanjiru mama kaze no mama

Hana no you ni sora ni matte

Kimi ga kirai na kimi wo tsutsumu

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

It's love, your love LOVE YOURSELF

Sasuke finished singing and Fox Five stopped playing. Sakura stood at the door smiling at him. Sasuke crossed over the wires and around the speakers. He stood in front of Sakura and took off his sunglasses. Sakura gasped when she saw the bruises under his eyes and the slight swell of his nose. "What happened to you?"

"You can thank her," Sasuke said pointing to Aome, who along with the girls stood at the bottom of the staircase. "She made me realize what I jerk I was. Sakura I love you, will you please forgive me."

"Yes," Sakura whispered. She pulled Sasuke in for a kiss making him yelp in pain. He grabbed his nose. "I'm sorry."

"No it's alright," Sasuke said smiling despite the pain. He kissed Sakura on the cheek. Their friends broke out in cheers. "Thanks you guys," Sasuke said to Fox Five, Gaara, Kankuro, and the Akatsuki. Sasuke hugged his girlfriend and heard her stomach growl. Sakura blushed and ducked her head. Sasuke lifted her chin and looked her in the eyes, "You want to get something to eat?"

"I can't go looking like this," Sakura said pointing at her sweats and sweater.

"Well I'm going looking like this," Sasuke said pointing at his bruised face, "Besides you look beautiful." Sakura hugged him tightly and after waving goodbye to their friends the two walked out of the gates hand in hand.

The girls smiling came out of the house. "What happened to your hair?" Tobi asked causing the boys to turn to the girls. For the first time they saw them with short hair.

"What did we just go through? It's just hair," Aome said pulling at a strand.

"He didn't mean it that way," Neji said, "I kind of like it actually." He ran a hand through Tenten's shorter hair. Many of the boys agreed.

"This kind of reminds me of your old haircut, before you left," Naruto said to Hinata pushing the hair out of her face. She smiled and stood on her tip toes and kissed him on the chin. Naruto smiled.

The teens began to pack up their equipment. As he put his guitar away in its case Naruto got a call. He answered, "Hey Sai."

"Hey Naruto, how's the song coming along?" Sai asked as he sat in his chair across from Jiraiya.

"Sai, I don't think I can go through with it," Naruto said, "Not after what she has gone through."

"I know Naruto," Sai said, "But you and Hinata both agreed on this."

"This isn't fair," Naruto said, "Why do I have to keep hurting her?"

Sai couldn't answer that question instead he said, "You know what you have to do."

Naruto heard the click ending the conversation. He put his cellphone away and turned to look at Hinata. She was smiling as she talked with Tenten. Naruto captured that moment in his mind knowing that her smile will soon disappear for a long time.

Ok that was chapter 21, I hope you all enjoyed it. The song used this time was a personal favorite, "Love Yourself ~ Kimi Ga Kirai Na Kimi Ga Suki ~" by my favorite band KAT-TUN. The song Naruto and Sasuke were writing earlier is also a personal favorite and I wonder if anyone can guess which song it is. So keep an eye out for the next chapter.

See ya,

LWF