Here it is! Oh my gosh…My second fanfiction is finished!

And yeah. I never liked clichés—though readers should know it by now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

(f) "How did you pass the guards?" Hinata asked, still unable to move her legs. She was just looking at him and her heart began to race. It makes it hard to breathe properly. This was too much risk…this was too much danger. If he gets caught again, she doubts that the strategy of Tsunade would work like the first time.

"Illusion." The man pointed at his eyes. "And good chakra control."

"Why are you here?"

"To be selfish…" He stated calmly.

"Itachi-san…I don't need riddles." She almost pleaded. The last thing that she need was Itachi talking about things that would only make her confused. "Please answer me properly…You being here is too much risk. Did Tsunade-sama summoned you again for a mission? I though you are no longer a Shinobi."

"No…not summoned."

"Then why…?"

Itachi walked towards her. His eyes were serious and she can't help but be drowned to them. "This is why…" With a strong hold on her shoulder, he pulled her close.

Then leaned down until his lips met hers.

For two months…he suffered for two months. He thought that new life awaits him the moment he leaves Konoha…the moment he was free from his mission. He thought that seeing his brother free of his revenge-driven curse was fulfilling. Sasuke would have a new life again and Akatsuki seems too weak now to make any move.

But why was he feeling empty?

Kisame has to pound him with his big, blue fists in order to put sense into him a few days ago. He was not even aware that he was beginning to lose his will. When he was still Akatsuki, what pushed him to live for another day was the will to protect his village…the will to protect his brother.

But now that his mission was over, he realized what his new will was.

"She…cares for you deeply." Sasuke told him before they parted ways the night of his escape. "Hinata cares for you more than she cares for me now. I love her Itachi…and I don't want to see her sad if you entirely left her out of your life. I know the feeling…you did that to me in the past."

"Itachi…" Hinata whispered when he let go of her lips. Unconsciously, her arms wrapped around his waist on their own accord. It feels so…familiar—being this close with the Uchiha…

It felt so right.

"I have to see you." He told her. His right hand was playing with her hair. "A foolish decision but worth it anyway."

"The risk…" She was still scared. She can't take it for the second time if he gets caught again. She knew Sasuke won't be able to take it too. It was just too much.

"I know about all the risk that might befall upon me by coming here Hinata. So there is no use reminding me about it."

"I…missed you." She admitted.

"And I…you." (f)

Sasuke dropped the small ice cream container on the ground. Hinata rewarded him with a look and he just shrugged it off. The Hyuga acts like a mother to him sometimes and he knew that he should feel better that someone cares for him like that. He was not complaining—but Hinata should leave the little things like littering out of it.

"Littering has penalty you know…it's a new law."

Sasuke smirked. "Leave it to Naruto to implement a law about cleanliness in his first week as Hokage."

"That's a good law." Hinata smiled, picking up the cup and putting it back in her basket. "It makes the village clean. Naruto-kun's penalty has a really good effect on people."

"That is if you consider dancing around the village looking like Gai-sensei a penalty." Sasuke watched the girl for a few seconds then shook his head. Hinata still has a different effect on him. Smiling faintly, he stood up from the swing and stretched his tired muscles. "I have to go Hina."

"Too soon?"

"Naruto hates waiting. He's going to have a fit if I make him wait. I'm late as it is." He returned the mask back on. "I'm going to be away for a few months again…would you mind looking after my apartment?"

"Sure Sasuke-kun."

"I need to g—"

"Take care of yourself Sasuke." Hinata took a deep breath. She gave him a faint smile while she prevented herself from giving him a hug. It was better this way. Time heals right? And someday…everything will be alright. Everything will work out. She cares for him still, even though with lost memories and feelings.

She still does.

"Yeah."

"And don't go tiring yourself on missions. You have to rest too you know…"

Sasuke waved his hand, a sign that he was listening to her. "I know Hina."

"Arigatou…for everything." Hinata added. "I know it has be—"

"I know…" Sasuke patted her head with his right hand. He knew what she means to say. He knew her long enough to know what she was thinking right now. The girl just can't stop feeling guilty and be bothered by the way things has become. "I need to go."

"Right…"

"Say hi to him for me…but that doesn't mean that I want to see him." Sasuke said before he leaped out of her sight, leaving a small smile on the girl's lips. Sasuke would find happiness one day. She knew that. He has survived a lot in the past that was worse from a simple heartache.

There's a right person for him out there…she was sure of that.

-o-o-o-

"Ow!" Kisame grabbed the hands of a small baby and pulled it away from his nose. "Such a strong grip." The baby has a bluish color but lighter compared to the shark-like man. Chuckling, Kisame leaned down and blew air on the child's feet. "Such cuddly creature." Good thing his son did not get his looks from him. Despite his good looking appearance—if he say so himself, he doesn't want a baby that looks like a fish. "Right Itachi?"

"Hn." The Uchiha closed his eyes and leaned back on the wooden frame. Kisame's house was newly built and he himself has helped his fellow ex-Akatsuki partner in constructing it. A year ago, Kisame met a decent woman and got her pregnant…and now they have a son. The woman was gentle and kind—she would complement Kisame's loud and gruff attitude perfectly.

And now the ex-Kiri nin has a family of his own…and he was happy.

"You're not listening." Kisame glared at the Uchiha. In this small town—which was so far from any of the main Shinobi villages it took three months worth of traveling time—they were known not on their true names. Kisame has told the truth to his new female partner for she was trustworthy enough not to tell. It shocked her at first but it seems like her love for the missing nin prevailed.

Or maybe…the woman has certain fondness for fish. Itachi cannot pick which.

"I am." Itachi answered stoically. "Stop being so loud."

The child began to whimper and make crying noises that Kisame lifted him up from the crib. "Stop crying. Strong men like us don't cry." The papa shark was getting good at babysitting and he was quite proud of his new achievement.

Letting the cool air bathe his face, Itachi's hand rose to touch the small heart-shaped pendant attached on a silver chain around his neck. Raising the pendant up until it reached his vision, he unclasped the small lock and the pendant opened—revealing a small picture of a blue haired Hyuga.

"You miss her." Kisame commented.

"Don't tell me that you don't."

"I know…but not in a way that you do I am sure."

(f) "Not the right time Sasuke." Itachi looked at his brother. He wanted to hold him close for once—after so many years. But Sasuke was a young man now…hugs were not needed to know what they both feel. "You can take good care of her I am sure."

"You are right. I can take good care of her." Sasuke agreed. "But I want to know what your plans are for her. Are you going to leave her just like this? "

Itachi shook his head. This conversation was taking too much time. "Yes." That answer should speak volumes. Itachi guessed that it was enough to keep his brother at bay. He knew Sasuke loves Hinata…he won't be taking her away from him. He can't give Hinata happiness with his status as a missing S-class traitor. Sasuke on the other hand could provide that.

"Then I can't let you go." Sasuke declared.

"Fucking shit." Kisame cursed. "You two are crazier than me…and that is saying something. Of all the time ...you two really have to pick this moment."

"I can't allow you to go."

"Why are you doing this Sasuke?" Itachi asked.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. Itachi was worse than Naruto in the obliviousness department. He was a genius wasn't he? Itachi can't be this stupid. "Because I want you to be selfish for your sake and not for the sake of others this time. Don't think about what will happen to me. I am in the right age. I am the captain of the Anbu…I am Konoha's highest Shinobi guard. I think that's enough proof that I can think for my own life now. You don't need to watch out for me anymore." (f)

-o-o-o-

"Where are you going Hinata-sama?" Neji asked when he saw his cousin wearing her thick, purple jacket. She only wears them when she goes outside. It was already dark and he just came from a mission with Ino and Shikamaru. "Are you going out?"

"Hai Niisan. I have to see something important. I'm going to come back as soon as I can." The girl answered, giving her older cousin a hug. Neji smells of the outdoors—dust and mud and rain. She wrinkled her nose playfully and looked at her cousin. "You must be tired Neji-Nii…and must want to have a bath."

The male Hyuga chuckled. "I know…I smell bad."

After exchanging a few playful banters with Neji, Hinata left the compound and silently walked towards the forest. She has her Byakugan activated in order to know if anyone was following her or near her location. It was better to make sure. Hinata continued her stride until she reached the middle of the northern forest.

Stopping under a giant tree, she leaned on it and waited.

The moon was perfectly round tonight and it was beautiful. She stared at it, mesmerized at the celestial beauty. She only looked away when she heard, large flapping wings. A crow appeared and landed on her outstretched arm with a squawk. The bird was large but it was beautiful. She touched the sleek, black feathers with her fingers and a faint smile formed on her lips.

When the raven tilted its head to look at her, she saw the red, sharingan eye.

The next thing she knew, she was not in the forest of Konoha anymore. She now was standing inside a room that was pure white. A man was standing in the middle of it—a pensive expression on his face.

When their eyes met, both smiled.

"I miss you…" Hinata said, tears forming in her eyes even though she was trying so hard not to cry. She missed the man so much…

"I miss you more." Itachi replied.

Hinata ran to him. He stretched his arms wide in a welcoming gesture. When she slammed into his chest, her hands clamped themselves on his shirt and she buried her face on it. She felt his arms circled his waist and she closed her eyes as a sign escaped her lips. "Even if this is just a dojutsu—"

"But that doesn't mean that it's not real. My chakra is real Hinata…Whatever that's happening maybe inside our heads. But that doesn't mean that it's not real."

"Itachi…"

"I'm so sorry for not being with you Hina…" The arms around her waist tightened. "It pains me a lot but—"

"It pains us both…"

"I know…If only I could come and get you now. We could start a new life together."

The Hyuga shook her head. Itachi has asked her to come with a few times now. She declined, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't want to go with him. In truth, she really was dying to be with him.

But she can't leave Konoha just yet.

Her father still needs her—she can't abandon him. Especially now that she knew how much he loves her and almost gone crazy when she disappeared. Hiashi won't take it the second time if she disappeared right now. And then there's Hanabi. The girl may pretend that she loathes her, but Hinata knew that her younger sister was just confused and young. She still needs her to help her with clan headship duties.

If Hanabi doesn't care about her, why did she change the law about the Hyuga curse seal?

And then there's her Neji-Nii…

Kiba and Shino too.

There's just too many reasons and she can't leave just yet. "I'm sorry…They still need time. I still need time." She whispered.

Itachi smiled. "I understand…and I am willing to wait for you Hinata."

"But please don't give up on me."

"No…I should be the one to say that." Itachi replied. "You could have forgotten about me and all your worries and pains would be over."

"But I love you."

"And I love you too."

There was silence, and Hinata looked up to see that the man was looking down. She smiled and he leaned down to kiss her nose. "That's the way I kissed you the first time." He said, letting his hand trace the length of her spine. "Hey…have you grown taller?"

"Oh…Sasuke says hi." She suddenly muttered, remembering the younger Uchiha's words earlier.

"Really?" Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"But he doesn't want to see you." Hinata smiled. "I think that's another word for I miss you?" Hinata knew that this moment won't last. After Itachi's chakra runs out, this communication would be cut off. It pains her, but she tried to wear a straight face. "How's Kisame Nii-san?"

"A doting dad."

"Tell him I said congratulations on his new life."

"I will…"

"And tell him to look after you while I can't." Now tears were starting to fall on heavy drops. She can feel his chakra ebbing, and that means that she's going to lose him once again.

"I will…"

"And tell him to warn you not to look at other girls while I'm not there."

"Hinata…"

She was sobbing now. "Please wait for me…I'll follow you after everything is settled. I promise. Wait for me okay?"

Then everything returned back to normal. When she opened her eyes again, she was leaning on the same tree trunk. The crow was nowhere to be seen and she inhaled deeply. The tears in her eyes were still flowing and she wiped them with her hands hastily.

With a faint smile, she looked up on the shining moon. "Just wait…"

Somewhere in a town that was outside the Shinobi nation's map, Itachi was staring at the bright full moon too. He was leaning on a tree trunk and one of his hands was holding the heart-shaped pendant. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. "I'll wait for you…so take your time."

-o-o-o-

Five Years later…

Neji opened the enveloped with Hinata's personal seal. Beside him, Tenten was holding his hand while she looked at him with a worried expression. Giving his wife a reassuring smile, he began to read.

Nii-san.

I know you all have been confused with my decision. I am so sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. It's harder that way. It's been five years since the first time that I disappeared without a trace in your midst. I was abducted back then, but this time, I will leave willingly.

You might be confused why I did this, but I can't say anything more, except that I was following my heart and for the first time, I want to stand firm on my own decision.

Neji-Nii, please don't be worried. I am happy…and safe. I know that you have a life with Tenten now and I am so glad that you are going to have a family of your own. Someday, if you and Tenten will have kids…please tell them about me. Please tell them that somewhere…an aunt was praying for their safety always.

And please tell Shino and Kiba too—I know that they are going to get worried just like you. I love them too much to say goodbye…and I wish them happiness too. Just like you, they have started their own families…and I know that they are going to be great fathers to their kids—just like you will be.

I'm sorry that I can't go and witness Ino and Naruto's wedding…along with Sakura and the Kazekage. Please tell them my regrets Nii-san…I really wanted to see them on their wedding day…but time would not allow it.

Tell Hanabi I love her still…always and always. She's grown into a wise and kind woman. She's going to make Otou-sama proud. Wherever he is right now…

And please…tell Sasuke that I wish him the best of happiness. He's a busy man but I saw how happy he is with his life. I still wish for him to marry soon…He deserves a family that would care and love him. Tell him I said that.

And Nii-san…

Every time you think about me, please picture me happy. So don't be sad…I am in good hands. And I know that you are too. Tenten would take good care of you. She loves you…and I can see that every time you two are together.

Thank you for being my brother.

Thank you for everything.

I love you…and maybe, we will see each other again someday.

-Hinata

"Neji…" It was Tenten. "Where did she go? Did she mention it in her letter?"

Neji took a deep breath then closed his eyes. He would miss his Hinata-sama deeply. The way she has been happy with them for years…and the way she does her best to make everyone smile— which made him suspect that she was doing her best to make good memories with them.

It made him expect that something like this would happen.

The woman has some secrets…he knew that. He knows her well not to know.

"Neji?" Tenten asked again. "Where did she go?"

The Hyuga responded by pulling his wife closer to him. "To her happiness."

-The End-

-o-o-o-

Here ends not just the chapter but the story.

Thank you very much for keeping up with this fiction guys…I'm sorry for my ending (If it's not good for some…especially for SasuHina shippers…but what can I say, that's what my mind tells me to write.)

Thank you! I look forward into writing a few more Hinata-centric fics…

-CRAZYGURL12