Sometimes trusting a friend is the hardest thing to do, even the closest of friends can become enemies.

-James Merrow


They'd been in a restaurant, waiting for others to come, when the woman had entered. She'd rushed inside, quickly making her way to her friends, breathing heavily, excited to tell them of the latest news.

Being on the other side of the restaurant, they all still heard her, as she 'whispered'.

"Hyuga Hinata!" She'd exclaimed, her eyes wild.

Everyone had frozen, hearing the name of their princess, as they stared at her as if she were mad.

"She's back!!" She'd said.

Two simple words, ans the trance was broken. Chaos ensued as people began whispering, some filing out to see the kind shinobi who would always hold a special place in their hearts.

Tenten was still frozen, her hand which had been playing with the spoon, stopping mid-air. Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned towards Neji, watching the look on his face change like the seasons.

Kiba and Shino had already disappeared, either to meet their long-lost teammate, or to inform Kurenai. A blink, and Neji was gone too, Lee and Gai hot on his trail, in case something happened.

She was left with Sakura and Ino, still taking in the news. Meeting the eyes of her friends, she could feel the guilt chewing her insides, and looking at them, she knew that they felt the same.

They should've been there.

They should've been there for her. For god's sake, they were her best friends!

All those years ago, they'd noticed that something was wrong. They'd noticed it far before the boys had. The distant looks, the bloodshot eyes, the wistful sighs, as if life itself had left her.

They'd asked her a few times, tried to get the truth out of her. But the thing is, they didn't try hard enough.

Had it not been on Hinata's shoulder on which they had cried out their miseries? Had it not been her whom had wiped away their tears? So, when it was her who needed support, where were they?

Tenten stood up abruptly, her eyes shining with determination, as she stared at those closest to her, hoping to get her message across. It worked, as they both stood up and followed her out the restaurant.

It was time to make things right.

And they were ready to get on their knees and beg, if it meant that she would forgive them.

They quickly made their way to the Hokage's office, knowing that she'll be there.

However, they were caught off guard by the debris and number of people there. The office was in chaos, the dust and the unleashed chakras, a clear indication.

What is going on?

They could hear shouting. As they got closer, they saw Hiashi, present no doubt to meet his daughter.

Sakura froze as Sasuke stepped forward, glaring at Hiashi with all the hate in the world. And for the first time in her life, she heard Kakashi shout.

"Just like Hinata was your daughter?!" He stopped abruptly, taking a deep breath, fixing his cold eyes in the man in front of him.

"I will say this only once more, so I suggest you hear me closely. As long as I'm alive, no one will get their hands on either Hinata, or her child."

Similar to all those who'd heard the news before they froze.

Child? What child?

In slow motion, Tenten saw Kiba's face pale, Neji's turning green, as Shino clenched his fists, intent on killing whoever had so intimately touched his precious teammate. She clamped her hands to her mouth, tears filling her eyes as the words finially registered.

No. NoNoNoNoNoNoNo. Not Hinata. Not sweet, innocent Hinata, who didn't have a single mean bone in her body.

Kurenai staggered back as if hit. She was in denial, repeatedly telling herself that it wasn't the truth. If someone had hurt Hinata in any way, Hinata would've told her. Heck, she should've told her.

Hinata was no daughter to Kurenai. At least, not by blood. But knowing that some sick bastard had had his hands all over her brought her pain, as if it were Mirai who were hurt. But, even worse was the feeling of betrayal she felt.

Did Hinata not trust her?

She clutched at her chest feeling her heart clench as she found it harder to breath.

"Kaka?" She croaked out.

She stared at him helplessly, her eyes begging him to deny what he had said just a few moments ago. In response, Kakashi only looked away, silently answering her unanswered question.

Kakashi knew what they were feeling. It was the same dread, the urge to puke he had felt, but for them, it was ten times worse. After all, they'd been closer to Hinata.

He later wondered what made him say those words. Was it the thought of Itachi, or the mere feeling of seeing those closest to him under so much distress, he didn't know. But, either way, before he could stop himself, the words left his mouth.

"She wasn't forced."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, collectively shuddering sighs of relief were heard. Kurenai sunk to the floor, her eyes clenched shut as she took deep breaths to calm herself, repeatedly telling herself that her daughter was okay.

"Can I see her?" She asked, hopeful.

"She's in the Hospital."

Kurenai's head shot up, her eyes filling with tears.

"Wha-?"

"Hiashi attacked her."

Neji's breath caught in his throat.

Uncle did what?!

"Seeing Kazue probably released a lot of emotions." Kakashi said, more to himself than anyone else.

The others blinked. Who Kazue was, Kurenai was afraid to ask, but had a good enough idea.

It was Shino who stepped forward.

"Kazue?" He inquired, his sunglasses glinting slightly as he busied himself in adjusting them, so no one would notice his trembling fingers.

"Her son." Was the blunt reply.

Kakashi sighed again, suddenly looking tired and quite old. The silence was loud as everyone took in the news.

It was surreal to Neji, to think of his innocent little cousin as a mother. But, more important to him was to find the man who had so confidently deflowered her.

"Who?" Neji gritted out, as everyone stiffened, taking note of the killer intent that suddenly filled the hallway.

There were a thousand things Kakashi could've said. He could've simply said that he didn't know. It would've made Neji think that it was an average village man; no one of any importance.

Itachi still had a lot of enemies, and knowing that he was Kazue's father, would only add more to the list. Besides, Kazue would be safer without the world knowing who his other half was.

Once again, Kakashi took a second to marvel at the situation. When Hinata had told them of the father, for a second, he'd doubted her.

But one look at Kazue, and he knew she was telling the truth.

One look at those onyx eyes and black hair, one look at that pale skin and the slight creases under his eyes and he knew the truly was Itachi's son. Once he saw Itachi in Kazue, he couldn't unsee it. It made him wonder how he'd missed it the first time.

Kakashi suddenly realized that it didn't matter if he told them now or not. Neji was smart, and so was Shino. A single look at Kazue would be enough for them to know. After all, he was a spitting image.

So, instead of shrugging it off like a rational person, he only sighed again.

"You'll see."

And with that, he walked away, leaving behind realizations that this wasn't the worst of it.


There you all go!!!

I hope the wait was worth it!!

Though, this chapter took longer to write, even though it is shorter.

Weird...

Anyway, I hope you like it!! Be sure to present your thoughts to me in your comments!!

-Your beloved author.