Chapter 3

It was very foolish. Quite an irrational outcome her brain has come to, but she persuaded herself that it was the only irrational answer that made sense to her, somehow.

Temari bit on her thumbnails as her eyes nervously studied the window in front of her, specifically the man who was behind the window glass.

Shikamaru Nara. The man she stabbed.

Kankuro was furious when she suggested the idea. She had slowly and vaguely explained their tedious situation to her brother so that she could end her reasoning with how the Nara could perhaps help them as he has a high IQ and he was their safest option.

Of course, her brother could not bear hearing one second of her line of reasoning that she had planned for days. She sighed after the short discussion and thought that she had wasted her time, she should have moved on her own without anyone's consent.

That's how at the dead of the night she found herself in the police officer's neighborhood. It had been ten minutes now since she climbed his neighbors' railings and was standing nervously on their balcony, pacing back and forth. She had planned to barge into his room immediately but his mother had been talking—or scolding from what she could deduce—for more than five minutes now.

It made her more nervous. Temari could hear her heartbeat loudly from the moment she had arrived. She wanted to get it done with given that she wasn't used to her body acting this way. She was always confidant and nothing affected her cool demeaner towards any situation.

But.

But this was important. This had consequences. Good or bad. This conversation would affect what happened to her and her family. Not to mention, for her to trust a stranger she had met twice, and once she didn't leave such a positive impression; it didn't look like an ideal solution at the moment.

She had gotten that idea when she had bumped into him a week ago. She had preferred to interject his daily activities by trapping him somewhere in the streets as last time, but as she had noticed throughout the week; the man's life was the definition of boring and uneventful. He would go to work or sleep in bed, no other activity whatsoever. Moreover, his chubby friend would drop him home this past week because of his hurt leg, and in view of that fact he was never alone except when he was in his room.

Temari's body tensed and she breathed in loudly as she noticed that his mother was about to leave.

"Shikamaru, this is the last time I remind you to put your socks in the laundry basket and not on the floor. If not, you can go back to the apartment you once rented." His mother had warned sternly before exiting. Temari had heard that request five times this week and his actions expectedly had never changed.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru cracked his neck before positioning his tired body on the mattress. It's been a long week of research for him and his team and they all became more lost than ever before. The mystery still remains on how Naruto knew those people if he had not met them in Konoha.

Slide.

Shikamaru's body shot up as his window slid without warning.

"What in the….?"

His eyes widened as he choked on his saliva. "What are you…?" He coughed. "What?" Shikamaru stood on the wooden floor, nearly slipping as he did so, and positioned his body slowly in front of the door.

His brain stopped working as he saw the blonde woman who his research was based on enter through the window. This time around she wore black leather pants and a white shirt for the surprise visit.

Her demeaner was different, he noted. Her steps were calculating and not full of certainty as always; her haughty attitude significantly diminished. Her eyes were dark and looked past him while her lips were making a straight line from apprehension. She didn't want to be here, Shikamaru concluded. Her new attitude added to his nervousness. Change is never good. He liked seeing patterns and this was an anomaly.

"Is this 'fate' as you call it or planned?" He tried to ask as his brain was trying to wrap his head around the situation.

Temari held back a smile at his question. "Unfortunately, planned."

Shikamaru examined her hands and pockets. No weapons. He finally recalled to breathe. He needed this woman out of here before his mother was put in any unsafe situation.

Temari noticed his eyes scanning her. "Don't worry. I have no knives on me this time around."

"How about a gun?"

"No gun, either. I came to talk believe it or not." She explained in a tone barely higher than whisper.

Shikamaru's eyebrows knotted. "What do you want?" he spat back with a hushed tone as well, not wanting his mother to hear anything.

Temari moved a step forward but Shikamaru raised his hands at that action.

"Stay there and talk." He stepped back and ordered, covering the door. "Believe me if you were visited by the criminal who stabbed you, you wouldn't welcome them as warmly as I am."

Temari eyes twitched at the use of words. "I wouldn't say criminal…" She said as she stepped back fulfilling his wishes. She chewed on her inner lips as she felt taken aback from his skeptical eyes. Temari abhors asking for help. She feels as if she is going against her nature but what other choice does she currently have? The blonde looked at Shikamaru, then down for a few seconds before finally getting the courage to look at his distrustful eyes. "First, I didn't mean to stab… hurt you. I had to."

Shikamaru scoffed.

Temari cautiously continued regardless of his understandable disbelieved reaction.

"I came because… I need your help." Her lips quivered after she uttered those words.

Shikamaru's head tilted at that reveal. "…My help? Why would I—?"

Temari shook her head and stepped forward again. "Please, listen to me." Her desperate voice made him stop. She seemed genuinely distressed and for some reason he thought he'd give her a chance to explain.

"I didn't want to do any of this. You are the only person I know who could help me…" Temari looked down in shame as she finished.

This time, Shikamaru stepped forward. He examined her movements carefully. She was more on the defense mode. Her eyes and gestures matched what she was saying, but how could he trust her? What if she was lying for an ulterior motive? And most importantly, why him?

"Why?" That was all Shikamaru could say.

"Why what?" Temari said, confused.

He looked at her straight in the eyes, leaving all prior negative emotions he had about the woman hidden. "Why ask me?"

This time, the nervousness around her disappeared. A small curve formed around her lips. "You're smart."

He laughed in disbelief. "That's it? That's the reason you're doing all this for? My brains?"

She nodded. Even Kankuro thought her reason was crazy. But Temari was a logical person. She trusts what she sees. Statistics, numbers, brains. His brain's ability could get them out of this mess, and she trusts that simple logic.

Shikamaru leaned his head back on the door. He sighed and looked up at the fan. For two minutes he just stared at it, deep in thought and contemplating his options. The main problem here was trust, and the second problematic factor was that he didn't know the details. This was going to be a long night.

The genius looked back at Temari who was simply waiting for him to speak. It made sense, he concluded. Why would three accomplished siblings become criminals? They definitely did not want to. But this time it was his head and gut talking. He felt and thought that it was the most fitting reason for them to change paths. Blackmail.

Shikamaru stared at her deep green eyes that were piercing his face waiting for him to react. What happened to her to change her life so abruptly? He couldn't use his gut to guess that though.

"Look, you came here and asked for my help. You gave me no context on the situation and how you ended up stabbing me. I need a reason for me to trust you. Plus, it isn't only me who needs to trust you, I need to inform my team as well." He finally replied with a diplomatic approach. "If my team can trust you, I can help you. Naturally, you have to explain the situation to me first."

Temari's eyes softened along with her voice. It was a practical and kind offer on his part, it made her chest feel warm. "Thank you."

Shikamaru tried to contain his nonchalant features once noticing the change in her appearance. This time around he's the one who became nervous. He was perplexed at his reaction more than the situation present.

Temari's shoulders relaxed before she started explaining, "Believe me, Nara, I did not sign up to do any of this. It all happened so fast: one day my brothers and I were living normally then the next day last winter everything changed when Gaara took these classes in Mizu city…" Her eyes closed as she remembered all the details. She hoped by closing them all those memories that flashed would turn black

"I did not want to steal those Hyuuga files but I had to."

"Why? Who was forcing you?"

Temari's body tensed up. She clenched her hands not ready to reveal everything.

Shikamaru walked towards her, his steps slow but steady after clearly feeling her fear. He lowered his voice, "Hey, when I said I would help you once I trust you; I meant it." He looked at her eyes that were evading him. "Don't worry. I'm smart, aren't I?" Shikamaru didn't know why he needed to reassure her but at that moment he felt that he wanted to.

Temari chuckled. "I hope the person who wrote you have a 200 IQ didn't lie."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes as he recalled how Asuma used to write everywhere on his page about his IQ. On every comment, on every forum, and on every site. It used to embarrass him as a kid. "Yeah, unfortunately."

"Good." Temari regained her courage and said, "There is this organization made up of eight main members. I don't know who controls them exactly but I know that they operate in Konoha. They originally come from—"

Knock. Knock.

"Wait, mom!" Shikamaru quickly dashed to the door to stop his mother from entering but she didn't listen as the door flung open. He grimaced at the situation. "I can explain." He had to come up with a clarification fast or his mother would automatically think that he was dating the blonde secretly. He didn't need more reason for her to nag him every day to get married.

His mother raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms as if she was seeing the most baffling thing on earth. "Explain what?"

"Well," Shikamaru looked back and fell silent. Temari disappeared. Well, she definitely moves fast.

Shikamaru scratched his head. "That I forgot to throw the socks in the basket."

His mother started reprimanding his action yet again for the hundredth time this week before exiting. The second the door closed he ran to the railing of his window and looked down, up, and in all directions. There was no trace of blonde hair anywhere.

"Temari?"

No answer.

He waited for an hour hoping that she would think it would be safe to come back but it turned one o'clock at night and there was still no figure by his window. Shikamaru sighed in frustration and finally decided to grab his shogi box from under his bed and place it in front of him. He sat down and started rearranging the pieces once he started recalling everything.

"Please, listen to me"

"Thank you."

Shikamaru was taken aback by how troubled she sounded. Her eyes had looked a few shades lighter when she found out there was a chance for him to help her.

What would make a proud woman like her come to him for help? She had to be really desperate to come to the person she stabbed out of all people.

He really wanted to solve this puzzle.

Unbeknownst to Shikamaru, Temari was a few blocks away walking hurriedly in a narrow lane feeling a presence behind her the moment she left his place. She would turn left, then a sudden right hoping the cloaked figure behind her would disappear to no avail. Temari could glimpse the black and red color on the garment from where she was standing.

She was confused. Temari made sure nobody followed her this past week, since when was this man trailing her? She felt extremely furious at herself and the risky situation. It wasn't common for her to fuck up, and she didn't want an innocent person to face consequences because of her slip-up.

Temari was raised by Suna citizens, Baki, specifically. Sure, Suna's people weren't the cheeriest and friendliest population and they hardly ever conveyed their emotions, but she still didn't mind it as that was what was familiar to her. She understood their reserved nature which she now embodies proudly.

Yet, this all added to her surprise when she saw Shikamaru's understanding and sympathetic reaction to her request. It felt foreign to be dependent on someone instead of always being on the defense, trying to be as independent and unproblematic as possible.

He was unfamiliarly kind.

She would feel awful if the first person who gave her a chance and listened to her would be put in danger.

She was ready to kill.

Temari continued walking with assurance, turned right, stopped dead in her tracks, turned around with swiftness and dashed straight into the black cloaked figure with no atom of fear in her system.

She clenched her fist and punched the man right in the face with no hesitation.

"Shit, bitch." The man took a few steps back until he hit a wall. "Calm the fuck down! I was just ordered to follow you." A faltering streetlight illuminated his silver hair, revealing his identity. Temari didn't like that specific cloaked member. Couldn't someone else have trailed her?

"What were you doing in this damn neighborhood, anyhow?"

Temari felt relieved as she heard that question. Good, it meant he didn't know what she was up to, yet. She needed to retreat for a while given that it was too suspicious.

"I like walking here."

Hidan spat the blood in his mouth. "Yeah, well, walk the fuck away. We have a damn company to bust into tomorrow."

Ino had entered the police station with gleam radiating from her skin; her every step would give the impression that she was about to fly away from happiness. Shikamaru and Chouji grimaced at her behavior. They looked at each other with a knowing look. Something was definitely up her sleeve.

"Hey, is Naruto here?"

She questioned once she saw Kakashi enter. Ino knew Kakashi was always the last person to come to work.

"Nah. Maybe he's on patrolling duty or something," Kiba answered.

Ino beamed and clapped. "Great!" She then looked at everybody with a serious and intimidating glare as if a switch turned on. "If Naruto asks you to go to the movies with him you say no. If not, I'm going to give you a glimpse of how we interrogate." She looked around the room making sure everybody heard her clearly. "And, it's not a great experience." She didn't fail to clarify.

She waved her hands and left the department, returning casually to her gleeful self.

All men present immediately went back to focus on their paperwork, not bothered to argue with Ino first thing in the morning, especially not Shino and Sasuke who hardly ever uttered a word. Plus, their interrogation department weren't known or voted as the friendliest bunch.

"She's definitely setting Naruto up for a date." Chouji commented.

Shikamaru nodded. "Definitely."

Shikamaru didn't inform anyone of his interaction with the Suna woman. He reasoned that he would inform his team once she gives him more information as there was nothing to say. Except, maybe that her siblings might be blackmailed but he'd rather wait for another day where he had more energy as he did not get enough sleep yesterday from rethinking every little detail of their sudden contact.

Just like Ino, Naruto entered the office two hours later with gleam. "Yo, guys! I got two tickets to that new movie today. It's a pre-booked ticket, imagine!" His voice was too loud even for eleven in the morning, Shikamaru thought. "I'd be one of the first people to see it! I've been waiting for this sequel for years." He flashed the tickets in front of Sasuke's face who looked at him with a blank stare. "Ino gave them to me as a paycheck for helping her at the shop. Is anyone interested?"

"I have work to do at Uchiha's later." Sasuke said and continued typing on his computer, clearly disinterested by the news.

Naruto walked towards Kiba and raised an eyebrow in anticipation.

"I have to take Akamaru to the vet today." Kiba shrugged.

Shikamaru, Chouji and Kakashi shook their head as Naruto moved to their desks.

Naruto pouted. "Guess I'll ask Sakura then."

Shino stood up from his seat. "You didn't ask me, but I can't." He revealed and made his way to the restroom as he obviously sulked.

Naruto didn't give him any importance and started typing away on his phone.

NARUTO: Hey, Sakura. I have two movie tickets for that sequel tonight if you're free. It's at eight!

SAKURA: Hi, Naruto. Glad you're feeling better after that case. I'm sorry I can't today I'm going with Ino and Tenten to the mall. You can ask Hinata she's free today, I think.

NARUTO: But I never went out with her before. Don't you think it will be awkward?

SAKURA:Don't worry, it's just a movie how awkward can it be? Have fun!

Naruto stared at the screen for seconds trying to digest the contents of the conversation. Hinata, huh? Well, she's been easy to talk to the last time he had seen her and maybe going to the movies would make her feel better after the incident. He has to ask her first if she would like to go to Ichiraku's later as the Ramen for Day for Tuesday is a killer and he didn't want to miss it.

He tried calling her twice in the past hour but she didn't return his calls. He decided he had to visit her.

"Hey, Naruto." Shikamaru kicked his chair to roll him in front of his desk.

"Yeah?" Naruto looked up from his phone.

"Did you find someone to go with you?"

Naruto thought it was weird for Shikamaru to care. "I was thinking of asking Hinata."

Ah. That's what Ino was planning. Shikamaru smiled, he didn't mind his friend's plan. Ino was too obvious but not too obvious for Naruto to notice. It was a nice thing to do for Hinata, but what wasn't nice of Ino was to spam his phone for the past hour and demand of him to ask who Naruto was going with. He had to inform her now that her plan was a success.

He didn't only plan on asking him about his movie, though. "Yeah. She's not troublesome at all." Shikamaru complimented in his own way. "By the way, Naruto. I was thinking that maybe the red hair you keep thinking of is this guy." He showed him a picture of a young Gaara Sabaku standing next to his father in one of his meetings. "His siblings and him have been in an orphanage after they escaped Suna. I was thinking that maybe you have met him in one of the orphanages."

That's the only plausible circumstance Shikamaru has come up with after looking up the history and link between Naruto and the ex-president's children.

Naruto gingerly held the photo and looked at it deep in thought. "Hmm…" He analyzed the hair and the shade intently but nothing came to him. No memories at all. Just red. "It's the same shade of red but I'm not sure Shikamaru. Sorry." Naruto said. "How does he have no eyebrows?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

"Let me see the picture." Sasuke had noticed their small conversation and snatched the picture. He shook his head in disappointed. "Tsk. This leads us to nothing. If only you'd get over your amnesia and use that brain of yours, useless fool."

"Hey, at least I'm the one who holds the lead to this case. You have nothing." Naruto stuck his tongue out.

Noticing the banter starting, Shikamaru took this chance to take back the photo he printed. Great, now his only option was to wait for Temari to grace him with her unexpected presence or slap Naruto enough times until his memories resurfaced.

This time around when the Hyuuga's company's guard glimpsed Naruto's hyper figure approaching the building, he slowly moved away from the rotating door for the policeman to enter without identification.

Naruto wanted to run up to Hinata's office from excitement and not depend on the elevator. Nevertheless, when he saw the elevator open in the ground floor, he quickly dashed inside nearly knocking a person who was about to exit.

He started frantically pressing the button to the 34th floor, wishing it would make the elevator go faster.

Thankfully, the elevator was fast enough for him not ruin the button. Once the door opened, he made his way to Hinata's office but he stationed still after noticing Hinata's cousin sitting in the chair across from her looking as serious as ever. He wondered how two opposite personalities were related to each other.

On the other hand, it was the same as Sasuke and himself. People always wondered how they were close friends with their incompatible characters.

He remembered Neji in high school. They had the nastiest Judo match in the finals in freshman year. He won, as expected. Although, Sasuke didn't fail to remind him how he wasn't so sure he could win before the fight took place.

Neji had changed after that match. To the better, in Naruto's point of view.

Hinata had waved for him to come in when she noticed him dumbfoundedly waiting outside deep in thoughts about the past. Naruto saw his reflection from the glass, he had the most stupid blank face on. He hoped Neji didn't notice; not the impression he wanted to convey after seeing him years later.

Naruto pushed the door open. He nearly choked on nothing when he saw how Neji was staring at him with the most skeptical eyes. "Good afternoon." Good afternoon? Since when was I formal?

Neji smirked at his unusual greeting. He was obviously satisfied that the blonde was nervous.

Hinata brushed off the weird tension in the room. "Good afternoon, N… Naruto. Please make yourself comfortable." She gestured to the chair placed next to Neji. "What can I help you with?" she enquired politely once Naruto hesitantly sat down, his face looking straight ahead at her and away from Neji.

"Well…" Naruto began as he saw Neji's unfriendly eyes from the corner of his eyes. "I have these tickets to the movies today and I was thinking…" Neji began glaring at him, the tension between them visibly increasing in this one millisecond. He gulped. "Um… of asking you to go?"

Hinata's hands suddenly began shaking and she immediately clasped them together to hide her nervousness. "Uh… Um… Well…" She breathed a lungful of air after she comprehended that simple sentence Naruto uttered.

Neji cut her off.

"You're asking who exactly? Me or Miss Hinata?"

Naruto straightened his back and said, "Hinata, of course." Duh. Naruto wanted to add but held himself back. Why would he ask Neji to hang out?

"Naruto…" Neji said, then stopped. He suddenly remembered Tenten's morning phone call.

"Just wanted to warn you to not go with Naruto to the movies… or else." She had said then ended their phone call with no context. Despite his great disapproval he had to comply with his friend's request.

Naruto wasn't that bad, he tried to convince himself, yet no matter who the person was he did not like the idea of Hinata going on a date, and such a poor planned date for that matter.

"Before Miss Hinata can answer could you please provide us with more details?"

Naruto started blinking excessively, dumbstruck at the business-like question. It was just a movie, what else could he add?

"Um, the movie is at eight?" Naruto revealed, unsure of his answer.

Neji just continued glaring daggers at him, expecting more.

Hinata started fidgeting frantically from behind the desk, hoping it was not visible. She was ecstatic of the prospect that she could meet with Naruto outside of something unrelated to work. She had wanted to instantly reply to his request with a yes but she hardly could utter any syllable, not to mention, Neji's unneeded questions weren't helping her nervousness go away.

"Ah, I'll pick her up or meet her there whatever is better for her." Naruto proudly replied, finally realizing the correct answer.

Yet the daggers continued, nearly creating a hole in his forehead.

"Uh, guess I'll pick her up, then? But I have to do it with our patrol car is that okay?"

Neji face palmed and stood up at that proposition. "Of course not. She will not go with you—"

"N… Neji, it's okay." Hinata has finally intervened the embarrassing questioning. She turned to Naruto and smiled, "Naruto, I would love to go but I would prefer it without the patrol car. I… If possible?"

Neji's veins were about to pop and Naruto's face finally relaxed.

"Sure, no problem. I'll borrow Chouji's car or something." Naruto suggested.

Neji tried to calm his nerves down. He sat back down calmly onto the leather chair and said, "Is this a date?"

Hinata's face turned red. "No n… need t… to answer that, N… Naruto."

Naruto started scratching his head and looked in the distance deep in thought. Well, they were going to movies and they might go to Ichiraku's later, so more or else it was considered a date. "Yeah, I guess so."

Neji smirked as he saw his relative nearly faint from those words. She could barely keep herself in a conscious state of mind at that revelation.

For some incomprehensible reason or another, Shikamaru and Chouji found themselves being dragged by Ino to follow Naruto and Hinata around after their movie had ended. For another outrageous reason or another, Naruto and Hinata found themselves in the amusement park nearby instead of Ichiraku's since the ramen shop was under renovation for the day. Shikamaru does not doubt Ino has something to do with the closing down for the 'date' to be more romantic, yet the Nara thought Hinata would be happy regardless of where she was, what was important to her was Naruto's presence.

The trio's eyes widened.

Surprisingly, for another reason or another they found Kiba and Shino in the corner behind one of the target games as they entered. They were failing miserably to hide their identity but Shikamaru couldn't complain, as they hardly bothered to dress differently, either.

What was even more humorous to him was that as they tracked Hinata and Naruto near the ice cream shop, they spotted Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi from afar, their outfits drastically changed. He was surprised Sasuke put in any effort.

If all these people were here Shikamaru didn't doubt Lee's group were around here somewhere, and they seemed to be doing an impressive job at concealing themselves.

After riding a few games, Hinata and Naruto decided to rest in one of the benches next to the fountain, completely oblivious to the group of people following them around for two hours straight.

"Ugh this is the most boring date ever." Ino whispered to her friends behind the bushes, getting tired from the ordinary day.

Chouji and Shikamaru ignored her.

"You know Hinata, I haven't had fun in a while now. It's like I needed this break. I've been burning myself with work. I haven't had time to enjoy myself." Naruto confessed after sitting next to her on the unstable bench. "Thank you for agreeing to come with me."

Hinata looked at him with a serene smile. "No need to thank me. I had a g… great time as well." She spoke, "After the files were stolen work has been crazy and I was t… too hard on myself. I kept th… thinking it was my fault…"

"You weren't the one who stole them, you know. You shouldn't beat yourself up." Naruto interrupted.

Her smile grew bigger at the reassurance. "Yes, I g… guess. But I feel a sense of responsibility."

Naruto shook his head. "You should be as carefree as that cool lead actor. No one got hurt, that's what's important. Just keep moving forward, Hinata, and I'll be there with you!"

Hinata ears turned hot. She wondered if Naruto understood what he was insinuating or if he just meant it innocently as friends. "I think you're cooler than the l… lead actor."

Naruto grinned. "Really? You think so?" He nearly jumped from his place.

The Hyuuga heir slowly nodded in affirmation.

Suddenly slow music was heard from around them. Naruto started looking around. "Huh, from where is that?"

"M… maybe the speakers were closed." Hinata felt embarrassed from the sudden romantic vibe the sound was giving off but Naruto seemed unaffected. "M… maybe they just fixed it."

"I guess so."

"What hell are you doing, Lee?"

"I thought they needed a little youthful music to increase the youthful mood."

Shikamaru facepalmed as he heard Lee and Tenten quarreling from the trees behind them. The music was too cheesy but at least Ino stopped complaining that the date was boring.

"So why do you think I'm cooler? Did you see how he defeated those villains? He was amazing!"

Hinata giggled at his excitement. "Naruto, the way you come up w… with ways to defeat your opponents is r… remarkable and very c… clever. Whenever I used to see you in Judo back in high school, I would always leave the m… match in awe." This time, Naruto's ears turned hot from the sincere compliment. "You would always be put in a t… tough spot in any match or in work now and you would win in the end. T… to me…" Her eyes began to tear up.

"U… uh, here you go!" Naruto quickly shoved a tissue he had in her shaking hands.

Hinata politely accepted it. "You were a role model to me. I w… wanted to win in the end no matter what tough circumstances I was put in because of you." Hinata extended her hands to touch Naruto's. She didn't know from where the courage came from, but it was now or never. This was an opportunity she didn't want to regret not taking advantage of. "Naruto, you inspired me to become a better version of myself."

Naruto just looked at her in astonishment. He didn't know what to say; the genuine praise shocked him but he was extremely happy at the same time.

"Hinata… I…"

Hinata squeezed his hands harder, wishing her feelings would be communicated through her touch. She didn't know what it was: the romantic music, the cold weather or Naruto's sudden attention to her. She couldn't control herself and she was determined to confess everything.

Finally, after many years.

"Naruto, I need to t… tell you something."

"Record, you lazy ass."

"Why do I need to record? You have a phone."

"I need to see this in real life, you don't care, you do it."

Shikamaru grumbled and took his phone out. This was too intimate for him and his phone and ten other people to intrude in; what if Hinata got rejected? He did not feel like recording that. Regardless, he had no energy to argue and hit the recording button after checking that the flash was off.

Hinata breathed in deeply then looked straight into Naruto eyes as she squeezed his hands firmly, not wanting his attention to falter and not wanting her courage to leave her. Her fingers were shaking a bit but she paid it no mind. "Naruto, since High s… school, no, since middle school I was inspired by your resilience."

Naruto sat there and listened, in awe of how Hinata was seriously talking to him. It made his heart pump blood fast just like it would do before any match he had back in school.

Hinata smiled, happy to let this out of her system forever. "And slowly after seeing you in Judo classes… I began lovin—"

"NARUTO!"

Hinata and Naruto immediately let each other's hands go as Sasuke dashed towards them.

Naruto stood up from the bench in disbelief at the predicament. "…what are you doing here?"

"CAR. NOW." Sasuke ran past him to the gates. "THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE HYUUGA COMPANY ARE AT UCHIHA'S NOW. FOLLOW ME!"

Hinata felt disappointed at the turn of events but didn't complain and let Naruto follow his friend. What shocked her and overthrew her feelings of disappointment is seeing many familiar figures appearing from the bushes and trees behind their bench; following Sasuke to the parking lot.

"Did you hear everything?" Hinata asked a shameful Sakura and Ino who appeared separately from the bushes.

Ino looked sideways and started fidgeting. "Well, the music was too loud… it was hardly audible." Ino tried to lie her way out of this mess.

"Wait, the music stopped?" Hinata looked around before looking at the women in front of her with clear judgement. "You were responsible for that as well?"

"Well, it was Lee. Not us, per se…" Tenten uttered.

Hinata sighed in disbelief.

"Was Shikamaru running? I thought he couldn't walk." Sakura suddenly changed the topic.

Ino shrugged. "Wouldn't put it past him if he continued acting that his leg wasn't healed yet to get a free ride home every day."

Itachi kicked an unconscious redhead's body that's now in front of the Uchiha's warehouse entrance. He felt bad that the woman assumed she could try to stop him from trespassing. He thought it was a poorly illustrated decision from his brother to put the weak woman to defend such an important place.

"Hm. It's been a while." He said after pushing the warehouse's door open.

A/N: Hi! Merry Christmas to who celebrate it. :) Guess this will be a yearly update haha. No, I'm joking! I had a work entrance exam after I updated it last time then I surprisingly got accepted LOL So I had no time to write. Now, after getting used to the work load I have more time.

Also! A few months ago, I was actually about to update, but the laptop where I had everything saved on died on me because my sister was using it nonstop for her online school, and it was already old. I just bought a new device last week so I had to rewrite (and I changed EVERYTHING lol).

Next chapter won't take such a long time as it is already half done (if there is still somebody waiting for an update lol) and I'm lovinnnnng it.

I'm also not sure on how I'm portraying Naruhina if Hinata's personality makes sense lol please if you have any suggestions tell me. I loved the Neji and Shikatema moments the most this chapter! I think moving forward there will be a lot more of Shikatema.

I was actually thinking of adding Sai to the story. He had a small role in my old draft in my laptop that died :( Guess it was a sign not to add him haha. Hmmm, let's see!

Tell me what you think, please. :)