I totally missed this story so much that I knew I had to come back, but I keep my word that it won't be abandoned on my watch. ;)

I completed "The Shogun's Otome", added a new chapter to "Mummy Lover", and put up a couple new oneshots. Busy, busy as always, but I also had to deal with some personal family issues: we thought Dad had liver cancer due to years of alcoholism in the army and after, but it turned out to be liquid inflammation in his stomach that went to his legs and scrotal sac. (blushes and dies inside) It was a hell of a few weeks before we finally got him into the emergency room for almost a week, and then he was prescribed. He even hasn't had a drink since he came home, which was on the 25th of the past month.

Now I bring you the new chapter. :D I usually say this at the end, but REVIEW when you complete. Has to be worth the wait for this.

Composition by Brunuhville.

Chapter Eight

Forgive Me

She really knew nothing about him, but only a little that was her assumption. Yes, he was lonely, but not enough to deserve any sympathy. He wanted none of that. He'd lived barely six hundred years, so why now? Tsunade showed no sympathy, but underneath that steely exterior he could sense a small sliver. Barely noticeable, but nonetheless present. His sister-in-law was an exception simply because she married his brother.

But this girl? An unbreakable connection had formed that he wished wasn't there at all.

Yet he found himself giving a hint that he had lost a brother himself, without revealing the name, and only spoke in her ear that he was "similar" to the man in her portrait. Without saying it is I. And what came over him was simply the feel of her body so close to his, her intoxicating scent in his channels, and the silken touch of her ear shell against his lips. This moment took him back to a moment of the past with the one who betrayed him before another entered his life - the one who became his second mate and opened his heart to love again.

But here he was now, with the granddaughter of his mistress. Someone who knew his face, if not all of it. But she had no idea the man himself was dancing with her at this very moment, just as the hours were growing late. In half an hour or so, the clock would strike midnight, and the explosions of fireworks and wine bottles would come to life. Her body was dipped, in his arms, everything intensified as if by nature's grasp. Her long golden hair was cascading over his arm like a waterfall.

"I'm sorry about your brother," Hanaru breathed, closing her eyes even though he didn't look at her as she didn't. "But where is he now?"

"Safe and well," he answered. "But he and I hardly see each other anymore. We are not as close as we used to be."

"...just like it is much of the time. But my brother...we were close like brother and sister rarely are. And my friend has lost both of hers; she is so angry and hateful she can't handle life like I am doing. But you could see it yourself."

He nodded, pulling away from her and standing up with her at the same time. "So I have. The kind of bond my own and I once had. Life really turns relationships into something else: your friends become enemies, your enemies become friends, and even brothers and sisters can grow apart or come together." Because much of the time, humans thought life was so easy and sweet, especially the younger generation. But this one had seen so yet retained control of herself. She was stronger than her friend, loathed as he was to admit it.

She looked up at him with wide-eyed shock. "But some bonds can remain the same if you work hard enough," she insisted, making him sigh.

"I wish I could believe that, but I have seen more than you can comprehend. But never mind that. If it is not wrong of me, dear Hanaru, tell me what you wish to do about your friend the angry one?" He chuckled lightly.

"The boys and I talked about getting her help whether she liked it or not." She quickly stopped herself as if realizing a mistake she'd made. "I really shouldn't be talking to you about this. You are still a stranger, and you could be harboring this information against us." Her eyes were dark behind the mask, but they still sparkled.

Very quick thinking. "No, you are wrong about me," Itachi told her. "I was simply inquiring. I care more than you think, without fear of the consequences. It pleases me to know she is about to take her first step towards a healthy recovery - the best she can, at least."

He saw it in her eyes: she was confident in the decision, but she was also afraid. Tomorrow at best would be when she and her boys would finally tell Temari that enough was enough, which was major and risky, and could jeopardize their friendship as well as her relationship with Shikamaru Nara. Although it took an incredibly strong person to make a choice like this, if it was for the best.

"You really must have faith in her, Hanaru, if a part of you still believes your brother could still be out there whereas she lashes at those who tell her that the last of her own is likely dead."

He wasn't surprised that his brother paid the girls a visit to tell Hanaru the same story, to give up on Naruto, but on second thought, Sasuke knew more than she did, too. It was his means to keep the boy's sister uninvolved just like he and her grandmother were doing. Tsunade lost too many loved ones, now her grandson included, and the last person she wanted now was her granddaughter. Who, by the way, was slowly catching on, and it was bound to happen sooner or later.

"You really know so much about us," Hanaru said, narrowing her eyes now, though they were still swaying to the music playing. "That doesn't surprise me, because everyone in town pretty much knows our stories. And that must mean..." She pieced it together in a heartbeat. "...you knew who we were that night, before this one."

"Yes...I did," he confessed softly, leaning closer. "But don't take any of it the wrong way."

"Why should I? It doesn't surprise me...but are you going to tell me your name now? Or does the 'wait and see' still stand?"

Desperate to know, was she? "It remains," he answered, bowing his face closer so that their noses touched. She was so irresistible that he couldn't even get rid of her. He loathed it, but he wanted it at the same time.

"Then, in that case," she whispered, her breath sweet, "I like a man with mystery. I'd never met any man like you before..."

The music shifted, and somehow he saw this as a far better dance as the atmosphere shifted to a far more exciting atmosphere, but the Celtic flute and beating drums was nothing on his nerves, although it excited her, it seemed, and he let her have her way. Her mood shifted simply because of this song. Even an artist can wallow in another's for a change. The other partners around them began to be excited and acting like adolescents, amusing him to no end.

Even Sakura, giddy with excitement, persuaded her husband to get in the mood whilst Tsunade and Jiraiya looked like they were enjoying the moment like old times.

Several more songs continued, instrumentals that changed pace from happy and jovial to slow and emotional, stirring both negative memories that had to be overcome as well as new ones to be made - which included the realization that relationships had to change for the better; it also meant new ones to be formed, friendly and romantic alike.

If only he could have prevented what happened next.

So it turned out that, at the same time, she acted against her better judgment, and he had no time to move away before her lips rested on his, at the same time the clock struck at midnight.

Time flew and had no real meaning.

Bottle corks flew, cheers erupted. Friends embraced each other, loved ones did the same, and colleagues congratulated.

But for him, nothing mattered except the daylight and midnight flower that was Hanaru Uzumaki and himself.

~o~

What in the name of the Kami came over me?!

She didn't even think, only did, because this man who knew so much about her if not every intricate detail, had to bring up her troubles at a time like this. It seemed all her life revolved these days was around Naruto; he was one latest addition to bring it forth...except this time he mentioned a brother he lost but got back, without being explicit.

Somehow that was enough to have hope after all.

Also: why was it that he seemed so familiar besides being the same man from that night? Those lines beneath his eyes...I swear they belong to the man in red. But there is no way he exists.

The rest of the time was abuzz. The song was one of her favorites and she had to get her mind off this shit for awhile. She still loved and missed her brother, but she was tired to the bone of always talking about him. Mystery Man who let her lead the way seemed to sense her frustration and said nothing else the rest of the night, but danced with her. He didn't seem like he enjoyed these things, but he somehow did it for HER.

Hanaru had no idea whether to be honored or obligated. Both people should be able to savor the moment, even if they were complete strangers. But it was what happened next that made her wonder more as to why the hell she did it to begin with.

She kissed the mysterious masked man.

And after she just compared him to those dark guys in the novels! Then explain why I had to act like I wasn't in control of myself and kiss him just as the clock struck midnight.

He appeared to be as stunned - or was that an understatement? - as she was, while the others surrounding them, including Temari and Shikamaru, were reveling. But besides the shock, her lips were tingling in a way that kissing her brother and grandfather on the forehead and cheeks was nothing like...

And then it was over the second he spoke.

"Forgive me," he breathed harshly. "It never should have happened. I must let you be, Hanaru."

He was gone in a flash before she could even blink.

"That was weird," was all she could whisper to herself, staring around and finding no trace of him. He had just done what he did that night, and that was disappear when she wasn't looking. This was when she was looking in a buzz. It caused the thought to come forth, impossible as it had to be: he can't be human if he is vanishing like that.

By the looks of it, nobody seemed to notice. But Temari was looking over Shikamaru's shoulder and gazed with concern, brows knitted together. Then her boyfriend noticed her distraction and followed her glance.

But what could Hanaru say that one minute after midnight which suddenly made her feel tired that she wanted to go home now?

~o~

He had to get away from her before things went far. Which was why he exited to outside the building. Tsunade wouldn't notice until too late, but that would have been an alternative that ended with a lecture at the temple. He did notify her that there was no activity - which he detected the entire time he was locked in the arms of Hanaru - and that he was heading outside to keep tabs on any possibilities, with her permission that she granted.

The witching hour has passed. Tonight is supposed to be a haven for all like me to enjoy the blood feast...unless they have a reason to not celebrate tonight.

He just wanted nothing more than for this night to be over with, or at least to hunt for another vampire or creature of the night. Anything to keep his mind off of her.

And it seemed he got his chance when he saw THEM, on a motorcycle and zooming past the art and music studio, faster than the human eye could detect, but Itachi's saw it all. They had to be the ones the Senju Organization was looking for - the ones who were slaughtering those families if not on a hunger craze.

~o~

Well, this was it. First day of the new year, and here she was with the boys when they stood against Temari in the conference room. Her teal-eyed friend looked at all of them with narrowed irises. And that was not all: with them was Kurenai, Asuma's wife who was not only high school counselor, but also a licensed therapist. The entire room was tense.

"What is going on?" Temari demanded when no one spoke. Then her attention landed on Hanaru who was still beside her. "Hanaru..."

She lowered her eyes to the floor, unable to look at her friend, suddenly gnawed with guilt to her organs. Maybe this was a bad idea...no, it had to be done. You might hate us one day, but you'll forgive us. "You need help, Temari," she said. "So we called Kurenai."

The red-eyed, dark-haired woman nodded, lips pursed in a tight line. "Temari, your friends and my husband - and myself included - have all come to an agreement that your anger for losing both of your brothers has rendered you to taking it out on those closest to you who are trying their best to be there for you. Hanaru, on one hand, knows what it is like to lose a brother, but since they have done everything they could, it might be best for you to come into my two-week program to try and settle your problems so you can return to your life, to live as both your brothers would have wanted you to."

Just as she knew like the rest of them, Temari exploded off the bat.

"OH, SO MY OWN FRIENDS - AND MY BOYFRIEND -" Her eyes flashed fire at Shikamaru who only held up both his hands and blushed red out of fear for his own life. Poor guy was literally breaking out in a sweat! "- ALL TURN ON ME NOW?!" Her voice lowered, but it was growling. "Because you think Kankuro and Gaara twisted my brain and sanity."

"No, that's not it at all," Asuma said tiredly, rubbing his brow temple. "You just need to realize enough is enough. I lost my brother, remember? We were close as you and your brothers were. Same with Hanaru and Naruto. All three boys were as much to me as the lot of you still are. We thought we lost a part of ourselves every time - but it isn't the end of the world. These are not cold words; they are fact." He stated the last part with a gaze hard as it was when he would be out there in those fields abroad. They'd softened since his retirement, but now they were again in former glory, adding emphasis to Temari in that he couldn't tolerate her behavior anymore.

"Yeah, you got to move on eventually," Choji added, and these words were from someone who didn't have brothers or sisters. Although he considered Shikamaru like a true brother to him since they were boys.

Now Shikamaru had to force himself to say what he'd kept in and thought that love would be enough. "I really love you, but the way you treat us sometimes...I can't deal with it anymore. I sometimes wonder if you could end up killing yourself one of these days, and I don't know what I'd do if that happens."

Hanaru was saved for last. She had been clenching inside and couldn't stop crying. "I really don't want to lose someone I saw as a true friend since I was a little girl. You honestly think that I could stand losing my sister -" Her throat was sore for using that word, because family didn't always end in blood. "- as she lets herself descend to a place I can't even reach her? Just, please, agree to this and we can all be happy again?"

You'd think that she would say something soothing and pleading with everything she'd heard, but instead, Temari's response to all of this was the cruelest thing they'd ever heard - but worst of all for Hanaru, who had been her best friend all their lives. And so was it for Shikamaru who had wanted to ask her to marry him in spite of everything.

"Okay, fine, but know this," Temari said through her teeth, glaring daggers. "I'm never going to forgive any of you for this."

The exciting dance in the beginning was Trobar de Morte's "The Bear Dance".

Oh, God, Temari, you really don't mean what you say. But Hanaru and gang are right; you'll thank them when you open your eyes up and let your heart heal. The fight is far from over.