Sakura took a sip of the bitter liquid Ino had poured in her glass. She furrowed her brow and leaned her head back against the wall. Ino sat cross-legged on the bed in front of Sakura. The house was quiet, Ino's mother was still working at the family flower shop and Inoichi had been called in to speak with the Hokage.
"I've only ever kissed Naruto." Sakura groaned, drinking another sip of the alcohol. Ino shrugged, taking a sip for herself.
"I've never kissed anyone. And Hinata… quiet, shy Hinata, is getting plowed by none other than Uchiha Sasuke." Ino took down a larger gulp this time. "So depressing."
"I don't really wanna think about what Hinata and Sasuke do in private." Sakura admitted, handing her glass to Ino. "I'm just glad they can show restraint in public."
"You know, they really don't seem like a couple." Ino stated, setting their glasses on the bedside table. "Maybe they're just banging."
"No, Hinata wouldn't." Sakura defended. "I don't think Sasuke would either. I admit we don't really know him anymore, but honestly if it was just about sex Karin is clearly a willing participant." The cheeks of both girls were flushed with drink.
"I have never been so jealous." Ino admitted, plucking the hairband from her blond locks, allowing her hair to fall around her shoulders. "What is it like to be kissed passionately?" Sakura snorted.
"My first kiss was Naruto, do you honestly believe I know the answer?" The pink-haired girl shifted up onto her knees, leaning in closer to her friend.
"How would you do it?" Ino asked, curiosity fueled by drink taking over her sense of rationale. Sakura slid her hand into Ino's hair, pulling her face closer; their faces almost touching. Sakura's heart pounded just as Ino's did, their breathing coming in more quickly. After a brief pause the girls erupted into laughter, falling back on either end of the bed.
"Yeah right."
"Like I'd actually want to kiss you!" Their giggles escalated. "Want another drink?"
"Absolutely."
…
Hinata clasped her hands together behind her back and stood silently in front of the hokage. Sakura and Shizune were in their typical positions, flanking Tsunade. Hinata found herself isolated, feeling like an outcast.
"I met with your friend this afternoon." The blond announced, resting her chin on her thumbs, frustration clear in her amber eyes. "Will this be as eventful?"
"No ma'am." Hinata assured her.
"What can you tell me about team Taka and the masked man?" The blond inquired, leaning back in her chair.
"I don't know much more about the masked man." Hinata admitted. "No more than what we already knew after the encounter in the forest. I tried to strike him once and just like before my attack passed right through him."
"Unfortunate." Tsunade nodded. "What about Sasuke and his companions?"
"Is there a reason for the intel swap?" The dark-haired girl asked. "You aren't questioning my knowledge on Neji or Shino."
"I haven't issued an official pardon to Sasuke, or accepted the others." Tsunade sat straight up. "As far as I'm concerned Sasuke is still a wanted criminal and the other three are grotesque science experiments of the late Orochimaru."
"Grotesque science experiments?" Hinata asked. "Jugo has been working tirelessly to help in the reconstruction and Karin has been contributing to the advancement of our medical procedures." Usually Hinata was one to shy away from confrontation, but they had been back for three weeks and relations had not improved. The constant turmoil was starting to wear on her. "Respectfully my Lady, how long can this go on?"
"And what is this?" Tsuande questioned, leaning forward on her desk.
"You've had them jumping through hoops for nearly a month and continue to make snide remarks about my loyalty."
"This feels less than respectful." Tsunade noted. Sakura watched in disbelief as quiet Hinata stood proudly for the first time, unabashed.
"Sasuke and team Taka have gone above and beyond to prove their loyalty to Konohagakure." Hinata continued.
"Sasuke has gone above and beyond to prove his loyalty to you." The blonde corrected, her frustration growing. "And his team continues to show loyalty to him."
"How will they ever be able to prove anything if you don't let them?"
"If you haven't noticed these are tumultuous times." Tsunade explained. "We must be selective on who we trust."
"My apologies." Hinata muttered, her tone returning to it's feeble origins as it became clear to her this was not an argument she had any chance of winning.
"Accepted." Tsunade sighed. "You have twelve hours to report to me what you learned about Sasuke and his companions."
"Understood, my Lady." Hinata nodded, bowing her head partially out of respect but mostly out of defeat.
"Dismissed." Without so much as another word Hinata took her leave, exiting into the empty hallway. Her stomach ached, twisting with nerves as a sudden wave of nausea washed over her. She was being forced to define her loyalty again. It didn't take long for her to break out into the open air. She leaned against the outer wall of the office and took a deep breath. It was becoming clear that this dance was never ending. Hinata had thought she was accomplishing something great by bringing Sasuke back into the fold, when really she had just made things all the more complicated. Konoha wouldn't trust him, not now, not while the previous generation was in charge. She pushed off the wall and took a few steps forward before she was halted at the mention of her name.
"Hinata, wait up." The dark-haired Hyuga turned to look at Sakura. "Are you going to see him?"
"Yes."
"May I?" Sakura took a step closer.
"Okay." Hinata nodded, offering a small smile, inviting Sakura to join her. Tsunade and Shizune watched from the bay window as the two girls headed out. The elder of the two took a deep breath, walking back over to her desk.
"You'll never gain their support to stand against him." Shizune noted. Tsunade pinched her brow, closing her eyes. "Especially if you continue to be so hard on Hinata."
"I don't wish to stand against Sasuke." Tsunade confessed. "If I could have saved my comrades I would… it is a sentiment I fully understand, but I will not be caught off guard should he be planning against us with the Akatsuki."
"I get that." Shizune nodded. "But will they?"
…
Hinata and Sakura walked silently down the trail that would dump them at the Uchiha compound. They were walking an arms length apart and things felt undeniably tense.
"Sakura." Hinata broke the silence first. "I am so sorry."
"Do you love Sasuke?" The pink haired kunoichi asked, keeping her eyes trained ahead. Hinata paused briefly, afraid to push her friend further away.
"I care about him." She admitted. "So much so it scares me." The two fell silent again, walking awkwardly to their destination.
"Don't give Tsunade his secrets." Sakura instructed, stopping dead in the center of the dirt path. She reached out and grabbed Hinata's wrist, halting her. "You are one of the very short list of friends Sasuke still has in this village. If you tell her the things you know he will see it as a betrayal. He will spiral out of control and justify the concerns of the elders."
"Why is it like this?" Hinata questioned, her eyes filling with tears. "Nearly four years have been dedicated to the location and safe return of Sasuke-kun."
"Bad timing." Sakura sighed, dropping Hinata's arm. "Everyone is on edge because of the Pain assault. Lady Tsunade is trying to do her part to keep the village safe from another attack. Just because I understand, doesn't mean I agree."
"I missed you." Hinata whispered, her tears spilling over. "I miss you." Tears streamed down Sakura's cheeks as well. After a moment of awkward pause the two enveloped each other in a tight embrace.
"I missed you too." Sakura cried. "Don't sell him out."