Yay! An update! I finally figured out what to write.. I wanted to upload this on the 25th of March as a present, since this is coincidentally the 25th chap, and it was my bday. unfortunately I couldn't upload it due to an error in the FF site. BUT! It has been sorted out and now.. You may unwrap the present =P

Beware, it's kinda descriptive..

Hinata's Perspective~

"Sasuke!" I screamed, "Sasuke!" I struggled helplessly against the rope that bound me to the wooden beam.

Itachi and Madara were fighting now, moving so fast their hands and feet were a blur of motion. It seemed that every punch or kick Itachi threw at Madara would be evaded, almost as if Madara could turn himself into a semi-corporal being. A loud resounding crack sounded overhead and I saw Sasuke and Zetsu fighting on the boxes. One of the wooden beams near their fight had been splintered. I felt my heart quicken. Relieved that Sasuke hadn't disappeared. I frowned as I saw blood on his shirt. Zetsu had cut his arm.

I didn't know what to do. The broken glass on the floor caught my attention. If my leg could jus move it closer, I would be able to reach it. I shifted my position so that I was almost lying down, and stretched my leg out as far as I could. My foot hit the glass with a dull thud. Carefully, I dragged the glass towards me with the heel of my shoe. It was a long and painful process. When I rushed the process, the glass would slip out from beneath my heel.

Sweat ran down the side of my face and I breathed heavily as if I had been running. I could feel time slipping away like sand between my fingers. Every second was precious. Every minute meant that Sasuke was fighting and was in danger. After a few attempted struggles, I managed to bring the glass next to my right hip.

I was suddenly grateful that they had tied my hands in front of me. My eyes darted back to Sasuke and his fight. I didn't know what I could do when I freed myself, but I had to help Sasuke and Itachi.

The ropes scratched my skin, burning them as it rubbed my skin raw. I pulled the ropes, desperately trying to reach the glass. It dug into my skin and I gritted my teeth, eyes blurring with the sting of pain. I just had to imagine it was like getting a Chinese burn from Neji. The sharp sensation of glass cutting into my thumb made me feel relief. My fingers slipped against the glass and I wanted to yell in frustration. Removing my hand I quickly rubbed my fingers against my shirt, smearing blood and sweat onto it. Taking a deep breath I reached for the broken glass. This time I was able to get a firm grip on the glass.

Without wasting time I began to use it to cut the ropes. It was a slow and painful process, my hand slipping against the glass, my blood making it slippery. I dropped the glass once I managed to cut through the rope that bound my left hand and began picking at the knots that secured my right hand. I glanced at Sasuke who managed to land a blow at Zetsu who staggered back into a stack of crates.

Itachi and Madara were circling each other, sweat plastered their hair to their faces, but their breathing was even.

I heard Itachi speaking in a low voice. "What are you doing in Konoha, Madara?"

"I thought it was time to end your pathetic game of hide-and-seek. It was smart of you to take Sasuke and move away. If you hadn't so foolishly returned, I would have given you more time to live."

A loud crash drew me away from Itachi's conversation. I saw Sasuke lying on the ground, surrounded by pieces of littered boxes and objects. I yanked the last knot out, almost tearing my nail out and limped to where Sasuke lay sprawled. My ankle was numb with the sensation of pins and needles.

"Sasuke!" I choked on my tears.

He glanced at me, disorientated, "No! Hinata, go! Run!"

I fell before I could get to him, my blood smudging the concrete floor. I felt so weak, I couldn't move. I watched as Sasuke stood on shaky legs, his hand gripping something. The skin on his knuckles stretched tightly over his bones.

"I won't let you hurt the people I love!" he muttered in a murderous voice.

Zetsu kicked a broken crate out of the way, the wood groaning as it skidded across the room and smashed into the wall.

It was the gravelly voice that spoke, sending shivers down my spine. "Foolish weakling."

Then Sasuke sprang and I cried out, my bloody hand reaching out for Sasuke. Everything slowed. Shock registered on Zetsu's face. His hands grasped the wooden stake protruding from his stomach. Blood bloomed around the wound like a bloody flower. He slumped to the ground at Sasuke's feet, groaning.

I stared at the scene in shock. I wondered if I should have been appalled that Sasuke had staked someone, but all I felt was a calming relief that Sasuke was okay, that his fight was over.

Sasuke stumbled as he walked towards me. "Hinata," he murmured, kissing the top of my head.

A string of curses filled the room and I saw Itachi shove a tower of crates down onto Madara. They fell on him with a sickening crunch.

Sasuke moved into my line of sight, blocking the view of Madara's twitching hand from me. He wrapped his arms around me. All I could think of was Sasuke.

A few moments late, the sound of blaring sirens broke the silence. The warehouse doors flung open to reveal Konoha police. I gripped Sasuke's hand.

"Don't let us get separated. It's taken too long for us to finally be together."

He nodded and squeezed my hand.

We were taken to Konoha Hospital, and treated. The police asked for statements and congratulated Itachi and Sasuke for capturing the two murderers and kidnappers without killing them. Although Sasuke had stake-stabbed Zetsu, it only resulted in a minor injury that required stitches. Madara was rendered unconscious by Itachi, and had two broken ribs and mild head injuries. To my relief, Itachi and Sasuke weren't critically injured. Itachi only received minor cuts and bruises. Sasuke had fractured a bone in his right forearm and the cut on his left arm needed stitches. My right hand looked like a ball of white bandages. The cuts on my hand from the glass weren't deep enough to need stitches, so they had painfully pressed my skin together and bandaged it tightly to stop the bleeding.

Sasuke stayed with me the entire time, holding my left hand as I was being treated. He insisted on being treated in the same room. I blushed as they removed Sasuke's shirt. I hadn't seen Sasuke shirtless before. His skin, fair and smooth as ivory, was stretched over an incredibly chiseled body.

I saw Sasuke smirk and quickly looked away. After the nurse left, Sasuke sat on my bed. He rested his chin on my shoulder and whispered huskily into my ear.

"I suppose you wouldn't object to giving me a sponge bath?"

I froze and jerked away, positive my face was the colour of a tomato. "I-I was just making sure she didn't miss any injuries," I lied.

His smile widened, "Is that why you licked your lips when you were staring at my body unashamedly?"

I glanced down at him and bit my lip. He had a really sexy body. It made my body tingle.

"I wasn't," I replied weakly.

"As punishment for lying, you should wear a nurse outfit."

A chuckle broke the atmosphere.

Itachi was standing in the doorway looking amused. "Teasing Hinata already, little brother?"

I felt Sasuke shift away from me, his attention on Itachi. "Is it all over, brother?"

"Yes it is. We can go."

"Where are you going? Back to the inn?" I hoped I didn't sound desperate.

Itachi shook his head slowly.

"Are you leaving Konoha again?" Fears filled my head. Maybe Sasuke didn't want to be with me anymore, and he was only here because I asked him not to leave me.

Itachi walked towards me and gently poked my forehead, "Of course not. We're going back home. Back to your next door neighbours."

I smiled in relief. "That's good."

He gave a small smile, "I'll see you both later."

Sasuke and I must have looked strange, leaving the hospital in our condition. Sasuke sprouting a splint on his forearm and bandages protruding from beneath his shirt, and me with my hands and wrists bandaged like I had been in a fight. I laughed quietly. It looked as if I had fought with Sasuke.

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Are you a saddist?"

"No!" I puffed my cheeks out.

"Then why are you laughing?"

"I was just thinking how weird we probably look."

He glanced at me then himself and shrugged.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" I asked quietly.

"What do you want to know?"

"Why you left and came back, why those men did all those things… and what I am to you."

He didn't reply, but gently took my elbow and guided me towards the park. He sat me on the swing and faced me.

"Do you remember the first time we came here?"

I nodded. It was after I found out that Naruto and Sakura had become an item.

"Those men today, killed my family. They also killed a part of me. I thought I couldn't care about anyone but Itachi again, let alone love someone." He touched my hand gently. "I left because I wanted you to be happy. You have always loved Naruto. I wanted to give you a chance to have that, without feeling guilty for rejecting me. I guess I was afraid of being rejected." He sighed. "I came back because I couldn't stop think about you. I didn't want to give up on you." His hand lightly caressed my skin.

I stared into his eyes, dark and intense. "Will you give me another chance, Hinata?" he moved closer. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek.

"Can I love you?"

I had barely nodded when his lips touched mine.

Soft and hesitant, just brushing my lips with the lightest touch. My eyes fluttered shut and I breathed his name.

He kissed the side of my lips, then the bottom lip. My hand gripped his shirt, brushing against his stomach. I felt his muscles clench beneath my fingertips.

The kiss was too short for me. I opened my eyes and found him watching me with glazed eyes. He ran his hand down the side of my face. So tender I felt myself blush. He smiled and gently kissed my cheek.

"Lets go home."

Then he took my hand and we walked back, finally together.

Note:

I think I'm going to end the story here. But, if I may add a special chapter or two in a time skip frame if you wonderful readers want more =)
If not..

Thank you for following the development of this story and all your reviews! It has been a great experience writing this story and being able to share the experience with you all. It is the first story I have ever finished! (and I've started quite a few =_= ).

See you all in my next story =)