Flashbacks are written in Italics with (f) signs from the beginning and at the end part.

Thank you for those readers who put me into their favorite Author list. I did not notice it until I saw my fan fiction statistics. Shucks guys…you made my heart melt.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

Chapter Seven: Within eight Months (Part three)

Sasuke opened his eyes.

Naruto and Sakura knew that it was time to flee.

"Uhm…Tsunade Baa-chan." Naruto moved behind the great medic, hoping that the Uchiha would still be a little drowsy or puzzled enough not to notice him and his girlfriend. They have brought him back against his will and Naruto knew that Sasuke would not let it go that easy.

" Sasuke." Tsunade said in her strong, clear voice. "You are in the hospital right now. So before some violent ideas about beating your old teammates for bringing you back enter inside your head. Forget it."

Sakura and Naruto's mouth gaped.

"Uhm…Baa-chan." Naruto complained. "Don't piss him off."

"That's the truth." Tsunade crossed her arms, red fingernails a contrast in color against her fair skin. "I won't have it after days of nursing him back to his proper mental state. It's the least he could do."

Sasuke slowly raised half of his body into a sitting position, his hand clenching when a sharp pain wracked his head like hammers against his skull. "You brought me back."

"It's for your own good Sasuke." The Haruno said, biting her lip when she saw his blood red eyes. "Besides…Hinata-chan is in a mission. You just can't drag her back."

"Yeah." Naruto chimed in. "It's an A-class mission. So come on teme…don't act rashly…"

"Hn." Sasuke rubbed the aching part of his head.

"So Sasuke…" Sakura studied his face. "What are you going to do about Karin?"

-o-

(f) Hinata was walking on the market street along with Shino when she felt Sasuke's chakra signature. Looking around, she tried to look for him. Weird… the Uchiha did not mention about strolling on the market today. For all she knew, it was Sasuke's Taijutsu training with Naruto—and both usually never stop beating each other up until they were exhausted.

Then, she saw him.

Sasuke was walking so casually Hinata has to raise her eyebrows. Even with her, the Sharingan user always has a cold and proud demeanor when out in public. It also seems like he was talking to someone, but the heiress can't see because of the crowd that separated their field of vision.

Hinata waited until the crowd started to ebbed.

Shino frowned behind his glasses. He was taller compared to Hinata and saw who Sasuke was talking to. He never saw the Uchiha smiled and act so friendly before, and when he saw Sasuke put his arm around his companion, he knew something was not right. Pulling the girl with him, Shino started to walk the other way.

Maybe he was wrong…or he was just over the top with his suspicions, but Shino just doesn't want the girl beside him to see what he saw.

"S-Shino-kun…wait. I need to—"Hinata was puzzled why the Aburame was dragging her so suddenly.

"I'm hungry. Let's eat."

"But I saw Sasuke—wait Shino-kun…" Hinata managed to get away from her teammate's hold. "I'm going to make it fast…promise." Running back, Hinata strained her neck up and saw Sasuke's dark hair sticking out. The heiress weaved in and out from the crowd until she managed to reach him. Somehow, she was wondering why he did not come to her—it's not like she was hiding her chakra signature.

"Sasuke…she called…oh." Stopping in front of the Uchiha, she gave Karin a nod. "Karin." So it was the Uzumaki he was talking to? Is that the reason why he could not go to her?

Sasuke gave her a funny look. "What?"

Karin bit her lower lip to prevent herself from grinning. "Oh…hi Hinata…We just decided to go get some lunch together. Right Sasuke?"

What surprised Hinata was the fond look Sasuke was giving to the Uzumaki. It was the same way he looked at her when they were alone.

The very same way.

"You see…" Karin continued, "I have been granted permission from the Hokage to go to the market once a week…just to get the things I need. Kakashi Hokage-sama is so kind ne?"

Hinata's face looked puzzled. "T-that's great." Looking at Sasuke, her brows creased. "Uhmm Sasuke-kun, could we talk just for a few seconds?" Giving Karin a polite smile, she gestured at them both. "Just the two of us."

"No."

"Why?"

Taking Karin's hand arm with him, Sasuke turned to leave. "Hn."

Hinata was stunned. Surely the Uchiha was joking? For goodness sake, he was with her yesterday and he was not acting like a…a…jerk.

"Sasuke?" She called, hands folding on top of her chest. No this is not right…something's wrong. "Sasuke…"

She received no answer in return.

"Hinata…what's wrong?" Shino asked when catches up to her, her face pale and lips quivering.

"N-nothing…Shino-kun…it seems that I'm hungry myself…uhm…wanna go get some lunch?"

Shino knew that Hinata was never a good liar. (f)

-o-

"Gomenasai Hinata-chan. I'm so reckless….It's my fault." Temari looked apologetic. "I lost my patience…"

Hinata smiled, shaking her head. She knew Temari was the military advisor and protector of Suna, aside from the kazekage, she was in charge for the safety of her village. She understands how frustrating it must be for her to learn such a different technique knowing that every second she was spending might actually be a difference between safety and danger. "I understand the feeling. Kakashi-sensei has to encourage me a lot of times before I perfected the skill to manipulate barriers. He was really patient with me."

Earlier, when Hinata fell, she was caught by Gaara's sand formation technique and was saved in time. Unknown to them three, the kazekage was actually watching their little exercise from one of the sand towers. Hinata's chakra loss was bigger compared to the Suna siblings. They were able to let go of the barrier in time but she has to hold on to it alone to prevent it from collapsing.

Right now, the three were still sprawled on the sandy ground, catching their breath from the strenuous activity. Gaara on the other hand was standing calmly with his hands crossed, the white scarf-like clothe around his neck was being blown by the warm wind, matching the direction his brick colored hair was going.

"Hey Hinata…" Temari studied her eyes. "Your eyes…"

Blinking, the Hyuuga felt the almost raw skin around her precious eyes. "Oh…yeah…I guess it's because of the sand and all. This is the longest I have stayed here in Suna…and the sand is not too friendly with my eyes." She smiled well naturedly. "It's going to be fine."

"You need to have that looked at." Kankuro said. "Our medics could fix that…"

Hinata blinked again. "Uhm…actually, I—"

"I'm going to take you to the medic." Gaara said and all three heads looked at him in surprise. The moment he appeared, no words came out from his mouth until now. Not even when Hinata thanked him for saving her from falling down from the watch tower. He just gave her a nod.

Temari raised an eyebrow and looked at Kankuro with silent understanding. "Alright."

Hinata raised herself up. "Oh…s-sure." Taking a step, the heiress focused her attention on maintaining the strength of her knees, which were still a little wobbly. She suspected that her lack of sleep from the past days have also contributed in weakening her strength. She may be good in hiding it, but she could feel herself dying from the inside.

She was emotionally drained.

Engrossed with her thoughts, Hinata did not notice the Kazekage has silently walked behind her. Removing his white scarf around his neck, Gaara tied it around the Hyuuga's head, covering her eyes from the dust and sand grits.

Hinata stiffened, surprise at the contact. She felt the young kage took her arm with one hand. "No need to use your kekkei genkei. It would only drain what's left of your chakra."

"H-hai."

As the Hyuuga and the Subaku head walked on the silent roads of Suna, which gathered a lot of curious looks from locals and Shinobi alike, Hinata let the kage lead her to wherever he was taking her. She knew that with her senses and Anbu skills, she would be able to walk by herself even with closed eyes and no byakugan.

But her strength was another thing.

"Arigatou for the trouble." She muttered, feeling his strong hand giving her a soft pull when her knees almost buckled again under her.

"Hn."

Just like Sasuke. Hinata thought as she bit her lip. The sand kage was a person of action compared to words…and Hinata has learned from the past meetings with Gaara that silence was one thing that he likes.

She kept her mouth shut.

"You have been crying." He said out of nowhere.

Hinata's closed mouth opened.

"I…uhm…me?"

"I saw you…you were looking outside your room window a few time." Gaara stated.

"Oh…"

The Kazekage looked at her half covered face. "You don't have to answer Hyuuga-san. It's not a question."

-o-

Hanabi stamped her feet on the wooden floor, face contorted in anger at being reprimanded by her older cousin. Clearly, Neji was in-charge when Hinata was away. Well, Neji has been in charge even if her sister was here. "Nii-san…"

"Hanabi." Neji gritted his teeth. He was too young to be facing problems only fathers would face. "I don't want you to go to the hospital because you're just going to mess things there."

"You just say that because you hate Sasuke-niisan."

"Oh…and its Nii-san now?" The Anbu captain crossed his arms. "I do not hate him…I just don't like him."

Hanabi pouted. "Well…he is Nee-chan's boyfriend." Scratching her head, the young Hyuuga asked. "And what's the difference between hate and doesn't like?"

"A lot."

As the two continue to argue, A Hyuuga servant knocked on the door and bowed low. Neji stopped talking sense to his immature cousin and gestured for him to speak.

"Neji-sama." The servant began. "Your friend, Tenten-san is waiting for you outside."

"Please tell her I'll be out in a second."

When the servant left, Neji faced Hanabi, warning etched all over his face. "Don't go sneaking into the hospital. You hear? You still have training with your team."

"If you won't allow me, I will tell everyone that I saw you kissing Tenten-Neechan." The little devil threatened.

-o-

Tenten sighed. "She said that?"

The captain shook his head. "Teenagers…they are the worst."

A smile formed on the girl's lips. "Oh come on…we all experienced that phase."

"But Hinata-sama was not that—"Neji stopped, his lips pressing into a thin line when he realized that he mentioned his cousin's name. His cousin who he has seen cries her eyes out a few weeks ago, then left on a mission that was more personal than work.

Hinata left broken…

"Why can't Sasuke use a messenger hawk to explain himself? Let Hina-chan know that he was drugged and he was not acting himself." Tenten saw Neji's solemn face and knew what he was thinking.

"After the pain he put Hinata-sama through…It needs more than just a messenger hawk to explain it all." The captain answered, recalling the day he has engaged the "brainwashed" Sasuke into a fight.

(f) Neji saw Shino stare at Sasuke with a tense aura.

It was just by pure chance that the four classmates met at the training field six. Neji was practicing his palms technique when Shino and Kiba arrived, exclaiming that all training fields are occupied at the moment—well, Kiba was the one who complains—and asked him if they could share.

In the middle of the practice, another one appeared.

Sasuke.

The Uchiha did not say anything, but each gave them a nod to indicate that he wants to share the field with them.

For the past months, Neji has learned to just act neutral with the sharingan user. It was the least he could do for Hinata. Besides, he has never seen his cousin looked radiant before and the Uchiha was doing his job on taking care of her anyway…even though he always felt sick every time he remembers what he has witnessed on the Uchiha mansion months ago.

"Shino! Don't!" Kiba yelled and Neji snapped away from his gentle fist formation.

Aburame Shino moved in a blur. It was so fast but the intention was clear…

He was going to attack Sasuke.

His Anbu sense kicking in, Neji blocked the Aburame's way with his body, blocking him from passing. Catching Shino's arm in a tight grip, he tried to steady the heir. "Shino…what the hell?"

Sasuke on the other hand was half-crouched, waiting in anticipation for the attack. He was throwing kunai on the wooden dummies when he felt a sudden surge of killing intent that was mostly directed at him. In a split second, he has his chidori activated, filling the place with crackling sounds.

"Shino…what the hell is wrong with you?" Kiba asked, running to Neji's place with Akamaru on his side.

"What's your problem Aburame?" Sasuke asked.

With gritted teeth, Shino growled. "You betrayed Hinata!"

"What?" Kiba and Neji asked in unison.

"Wait…wait…wait…" Kiba raised his hands up in the air. "There is surely a misunderstanding here…alright? Come on Guys… Let's talk about—Holy shit!"

Kiba just saw the Hyuuga released Shino.

Then the Anbu captain attacked the Uchiha himself. (f)

"Yeah…Sasuke beat you and Shino into a pulp…Apparently; being brainwashed will never affect his deadly skills." Tenten said with a shake of her head. "Good thing we have great medics here…If not, I really don't know what to do with you."

Neji's brow creased. "I was able to beat him too you know."

Tenten snorted. "Yeah right…"

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chapter.

I wanted to write longer but my life waits! Lol… my friends dragged me out today to have some fun…

Please bear with me…I will update as soon as I can.

(Please review… come on guys…fuel me up!)

-crazygurl12