Monday, October 21st, 2013.

Hey. Sorry for the late update. I was going to last night, but there was a movie that my dad wouldn't let me escape from watching with him, my sis, and a family friend that was over for dinner. (It was Life of Pi, since none of us had seen it). After that was my curfew. And today was the first day of school after my break (last week was my fall break; first time my school has done this) so I my dad was more adamant about sleeping on time.

Fun Fact/News: My mom's bday was yesterday. I just started read the latest HoO book: HoH.

Rec.: Anime: Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin:
Yes, I finally watched it.
It's a story about Eren (guy, BTW), his foster sis Mikasa, and their childhood friend Armin (guy) in their world where large creatures called Titans eat people alive, and have driven the human population down considerably, and only reside within walls that have been built. One day, in 846, a new, giant Titan appears out of nowhere and kicks a hole in the wall, allowing other normal, smaller Titans to come in and ravage the town. Another Titan breaks down another wall. At the attack, Eren sees his mother eaten by a Titan and swears revenge on every Titan alive - to kill them all. He, and his friends (Armin and Mikasa) later join training to become a fighter, making new friends along the way.
It's a compelling, heart-wrenching story about human fear, determination, humanity, and sacrifice. It's bloody, too, I warn you (people are being eaten, come on).

Practically sobbed at one moment, cried another and I think I teared up at another. Hadn't cried that hard (the sobbing part) in a while. I think that was when Ace died in OP, maybe? Itachi? No... Jiraiya? I don't remember.
But it was effing good. Anyone want to talk about it with me, PM me.
HUGE recommendation. Snagged its way in my Top 5 easily. Loved it.

Can't wait for the next season, whenever that comes out.

Oh, and my fave character is probably Armin. I like Jean and Levi, too.

Disclaimer: IDNON. (I do not own Naruto). Or Harry Potter. Nope.

Dedication: Jasmine-.-Momo-chan and XxxLizzie-chanxxX 'cuz I haven't talked to them in a while. I'm sorry, girls!

AotW: It was AoT/SnK. Now... nothing really high, just floating around. Maybe A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun. Something short. Recs, anyone?

Length:
W/o AN: ~5.2k.
W/ AN: ~6.4k.

Warning: I didn't like this chapter much. I thoguht it was disappointng, and I'm sorry guys. Honest. But if you like it, good. The next chapter's better, with a lot of SasuSaku and KibaTsuki. That's it, really. And I know it's better for sure because I already wrote it. This and the next chappy were originally one, but it was too long so I split it in half.

Content/Couples: Itachi confrontation and NaruHina.


Chapter 39: Of Arrests and Movies


Itachi POV

"Itachi," Sasuke snarled, trying to control himself as the curse mark spread about his body. "Why are you here?" Sasuke…

I looked deeper into the crowd, seeing just about every chunin-and-above-ranked shinobi in the village, as well as a couple civilians.

There was my mother, my father, Shisui, Mura, a black-haired girl behind Kiba, and even the Elders all the way in the back. I held back a wave of anger at the sight of them. Calm down.

"Here for Naruto?" The Tsunade questioned, arms crossed, glare hardened on her face.

"Yes," I started, sparing a glance to Naruto. "Is what I would say, but that would be a lie."

I smirked. The same smirk that Kisame often said made me seem even more like a bastard than I already was. That just looking at it pissed people off, and one can't help but want to punch me in the face. "Expressed my arrogance and seemed as if I was looking down at everyone. Simply infuriating." Kisame…

Naruto, like Kiba, was panting with claws out, fangs bared, and his eyes were flickering from blue to red and back again, in a constant cycle. Looks like Kurama's playing the part of the villain, and Naruto's trying to hold him back. Good.

"Whatever you're here for, Itachi," Shisui said. "You won't get away with it."

I continued to smirk. "You think you can still take me on, Cousin?"

My cousin gave me his own signature smirk. "You don't think I just laid around doing nothing all these years, did you?"

"Don't forget about us," Kakashi spoke, his Sharingan now uncovered. "You have a whole legion of Konoha Shinobi against you. Even you can't be strong enough to take all of us, with or without the help of those kids behind you." This is kind of random, but now that I think about, Kakashi doesn't look like he ages quickly at all. He looks the same as he did about 6 years ago when I… left,(1) as he does two years into the future.(2)

"Even I?" I echoed. "I'll take that as a compliment, Sempai." I sound pretty formal. Whatever. But regardless – Kakashi's right. I'm not sure if I could fight all of them at once if they fought me, especially in my current condition.

Kakashi's glared hardened.

As they spoke, I watched as Kiba's old friend, Shino, walk up to the dog boy. "Kiba, it'd be best if you called down-"

"Hell if I calmed down!" He snarled. From my position and theirs, it wasn't too hard to hear what they were saying.

He looked back over to his Shino, and then to the black-haired girl I mentioned earlier that was behind him. His eyes softened, seeing her worried and slightly frightened look. He must hold feelings for her.

"Shino…" Kiba said softly, lowly.

"Mm?"

"Take Mitsuki back in town to my place. If she won't let you, take her deeper into the crowd, not up front." His friend instructed. "Just protect her, 'kay?" His feelings for her seem to be quite strong. You're growing up, Kiba.

I held back a proud smile, seeing Hana's own when I turned to gaze at her, before she turned to me with a (fake, I hope, but wouldn't surprise me if it was real) glare.

It hurt to see her glare at me, but it was nothing to other things I've done. But I'm going to try and make things better.

Shino looked at Kiba for a moment, in thought.

Soon, he nodded. "I will. Why?"

Kiba finished with him. "Because that's what friends do."(3) Best friends, those two are.

Bugs escaped from Shino's sleeves and created a make-shift shield in front of Mitsuki as he picked up the struggling girl and took her into the crowd.

Once she was out of my eyesight, Kiba's anger returned and he panted and growled again, just like a very pissed off dog.

"Enough chatting!" he snarled at the talking adults. "It's time for you to pay, Itachi!"

Coincidentally, Kiba's last sentence was spoken in unison with Sasuke and Naruto.

They all charged me immediately.

A Chidori started in Sasuke's hand, but, for whatever reason, died out before it got to me and he chose to kick me instead as Naruto tried to punch me and Kiba used Gatsuuga with Akamaru, narrowly missing Suigetsu and Juugo.

Sakura? No Chidori…

I dodged easily and tossed the three back into the crowd, lightly, not intending to incapacitate them and the rest of the crowd. That's not what I am here for.

But we all froze when Suigetsu's voice cut through the crowd for the second time.

The first time he spoke aloud was to say "Four Eyes!" as Sasuke, Naruto, and Kiba charged, but was ignored. After all, there are quite a few in the crowd with glasses. However, I do know who he was talking to.

This time, he spoke a name.

"Karin!"

Everyone turned to either Suigetsu or Karin herself, who was red with either anger, fear, or embarrassment –hard to tell– as she shook violently. Ugh, Suigetsu!

"S-Su-Suigets-tsu…" she choked out, taking a slow and hesitant step toward him. She was clearly surprised to see him here.

"Long time no see!" Everyone who wasn't already was watching them now. "You cut your hair! I almost didn't recognize you without that terrible haircut of yours!" I know he is drawn to her, but is now the time to act on that attraction, Suigetsu?! Although, it may be some kind of obsession, knowing him and his cutting… mania.(4) Despite how he may seem, I'm not quite yet positive that he's of sound and stable mind.

"Why are you here?" Karin ground out, no longer showing surprise and instead anger.

Suigetsu pouted. "We haven't seen each other in what, a year, and that's the first thing you say to me? I thought we were friends!"

"Answer my question." Karin said harshly. "Why did he bring you here?"

"You know them?" asked Ibiki, a harsh expression set on his face. As usual.

Karin nodded. "They were some of the experiments I assisted in working on with Orochimaru. I ran away with them."

Juugo decided to speak up, looking around nervously. "I do not know why we are here, actually."

"Mr. S-Class Criminal here just showed up one day and decided to break us out. Not that I'm complaining – I hate Orochimaru!" Suigetsu spat on the ground. He shivered after he spoke the snake Sannin's name. (5)

"And you?" Tsunade turned to Juugo. "What about your loyalties to Orochimaru?"

"I do not have any specific loyalties to him." Juugo said softly. "I am relieved to be away from him."

I turned back to the crowd and suddenly saw a black and white bird speeding toward me. Somebody's ninja partner? But it looks odd.

As I ducked, I realized it looked… Fake! But what is it then?

Before I had time to react, the bird exploded and a black liquid splattered on my face and clothes. An ink bird… it must belong to that boy "Sai". I hear he uses paint with ninjutsu.

I closed my eyes from the burn I felt in them, unable to see and enhanced my other senses with chakra to make up for the lack of sight as I dodged kunai and shuriken (using my hearing and natural sensing abilities) which, according to the grunt released when they were thrown and the direction they came from, belonged to Hana.

"Impressive." I complimented, as people in the crowd congratulated Sai for the unexpected attack. "I was actually surprised."

But that was the last time I actually dodged an attack.

I did not move as Sasuke punched my jaw. Quite hard for his current age, I'll admit.

I simply stayed standing.

Nor did I move when Kiba kicked me at my temple, and I only side-stepped slightly at the kunai that were heading my way, letting them slice the edges of my arms as opposed to letting them get embedded in my stomach.

I also stood still as Akamaru and the Haimaru brothers(6) dug their teeth into my legs. One thing's for sure: they're teeth are very sharp. And quite long. Ouch.

After a moment of this, realizing that something may be wrong, the dogs left me and returned to their owners, all on even higher guard than before.

The pain of the ink in my eyes had worn off, and I used my sleeve to wipe away what I could. I blinked furiously as I opened my eyes, my Sharingan not activated.

It hasn't been activated this whole time; the first time it hasn't been in years. For a while, I wasn't even sure I could still "turn" it off in the first place.

"Why aren't you fighting back?" Shikamaru Nara questioned, eyes wary.

"You are stronger than those that attacked you." Sakura chimed in. "Why didn't you do anything? It can't be that you know you'll lose against all these people if they all retaliated."

Sakura's hand rested on Sasuke's shoulder, tightening as he tried to move toward me again to fight. I noticed that when she was touching him, as opposed to when she wasn't –like when he attacked me– Sasuke seemed calmer and his curse mark stopped any further than its current second stage.

The black marks of the curse were only spread around his body, not even glowing or pulsing like they would had he been in less control. His eyes were red with the Sharingan. This is a good sign.

"You're both correct," I told the two who questioned me. "I'm not fighting back because I'm not here to fight."

Everyone gasped.

I watched as Tsunade whispered to some ANBU and as they led the lower-ranked ninja and all civilians away from here, excluding from the crowd of genin in front as well Mitsuki and my parents, who simply would not go. The Elder's tried to protest, but they left begrudgingly. Their lives were more important – if they continued to refuse, the ANBU probably would've just picked them up and left.

With the crowd much smaller than before, those who were still here pulled their weapons out, fully prepared to fight a long battle.

I sat down and crossed my legs. "What are you all doing? I told you I am not here to fight."

"Then what are you here for, Itachi!" My brother growled.

I took off my cloak and laid it on the ground in front of me. "I have defected from the Akatsuki. They will receive my resignation soon and will retaliate eventually, I'm sure. I'm here to surrender."

My brother flash-stepped and kicked my face, harshly. "Why?! How do you expect us to believe you!"

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura gasped.

He and Kiba kicked and punched me repetitively, refraining from using ninjutsu, and I let them. I just sat and let them.

And no one stopped them.

Naruto also joined momentarily before he had to stop Kurama again from taking over when he was getting more into the violence as everyone simply stood and watched –Sakura, Hinata, and that Mitsuki girl had to be held back from doing anything before they gave up and watched sadly – as they expressed their hatred for me.

It was easy to imagine that from any spectator's eyes, civilian or no, this was an uncomfortable, and maybe painful and saddening sight to see.

Watching young teenagers show such pain anger through violence –not as much as they could have, though– on a person not too much older than them, the brother of one of them, who just sits there and doesn't fight back.

"After… all… that you've… done…" Kiba said between assaults.

"You… expect us… to… believe you?" Sasuke said, using my hair to pull me up to face him.

"There's a lot more to me than you may think, Little Brother." I spoke back, looking directly into Sasuke's hate-filled eyes. "I have unfinished business here. And besides – I'm willing to disclose any and all information I have. But privately – and with the Hokage first." I removed his hand from my hair.

Tsunade walked up to me, pushing Sasuke and Kiba back back. "So what's with the two kids behind you?"

"I believe they will be of use to you." I answered. "They're peace offerings, of sorts. In addition, I believe they would be better off here than in Orochimaru's lair getting experimented on."

Everyone turned to Juugo and Suigetsu. "Suigetsu's abilities will be of use to you, I'm sure, and he knows quite a bit about the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."

"I'll tell you all you want as long as you don't kill them, Hokage." Suigetsu answered.

"Why don't you want them dead?" Anko questioned.

"Because he wants to do that himself." Karin answered. "He wants to be one of them. Kinda contradictory, I think."

"Correction," Suigetsu told Karin. "I want to be the leader of the new Seven Swordsmen. I will remake them. And I hear Zabuza's alive, right? There's also this one kid in Mist under the Mizukage that has one off the swords.(7) I'll collect them all -the swords, I mean- and with them, create a new Seven Swordsmen. And kill Kisame Hoshigaki. Understand?"(8)

"What about him?" Tsunade jutted her chin out to Juugo.

"Whatever you do, it'd be wise to keep a Sharingan user around him." I said.

Before Tsuande could ask why, Juugo spoke.

"I-I have something special in me, to do with the curse Mark Orochimaru gives." Anko perked up.

"It's like a second part of me, the curse mark side. When that side comes out, it thirsts to kill and physically transforms me. I don't like to kill, but it does. It's not different from what Orochimaru gives." Juugo looked earnestly up to Tsunade. "I hope that you can help me, Ms. Tsunade. I've heard of your fame in medicine, and Konoha is a kinder country than others. Help me control my other side, please. I hate needless killing.(9) If you do that, I will swear loyalty to you."

"So what is this about the Sharingan?" Tsuande's eyes softened slightly, but she wasn't completely off-guard.

"The Sharingan is the only thing that can calm me down. I am unaware of why."(10)

"And when did you discover this?"

"A couple years ago, when Orochimaru tried to sway Itachi to give him his body, I was with Orochimaru and lost control. This happens randomly. I tried to kill Itachi, but he used his Sharingan and it calmed me and I passed out. Orochimaru has been trying to conduct experiments to figure out why, but Itachi is the only Sharingan user around and Orochimaru's not strong enough to suppress him and use him for experiments."

I noticed Sasuke's fists clench. He doesn't like to hear how strong I am. That he may not be able to defeat me.

"Was that the first time you met Itachi?"

"Yes. We never spoke, and when he brought me and Suigetsu out of the lair was the second time I met him. It was Suigetsu's first. And this is Karin's, as far as I know."

Tsunade turned to Karin.

"I've seen him in pictures, but this is the first time in person," Karin answered.

Tsunade turned back to me. "So why now, Itachi? Were you not loyal to the Akatsuki?"

I shook my head. "No. I did what I pleased, and the Akatsuki allowed me to do it."

After a moment of silence, Tsunade spoke.

"Shizune!" she barked. "Tie him up."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Chakra strings left Shizune's sleeves and wrapped around me, tightly. They sapped me of my energy. I knew these strings disabled my use of chakra. Any normal person wrapped up in these would be unable to even cast genjutsu.(11)

I could if I wished, but it'd be strenuous and I had no desire to do so.

"I assume these are the same kind you used on those two kids?" Shizune questioned, recognizing the strings on Juugo and Suigetsu as she tied them and tightened them on me. Suigetsu can't transform in them.

I nodded.

"We're taking him into custody." Tsunade ordered. "Hatake, you take Juugo. Asuma, you take the Suigetsu kid."

The two mentioned picked up the two teenagers. Hatake grunted when he picked up Juugo and threw him over his shoulder.

"Damn, kid. You're huge."

"I know."(12)

ANBU were about to pick me up and strap me to some kind of gurney for my minimum mobility when they were stopped by Sasuke coming up to me to kick me in my stomach.

Before I could double over, Sasuke grabbed my ponytail and pulled my head back again, punching me in my face and breaking my nose, which surprisingly had only been bruised.

"Are you serious!?" Kiba was being pulled back by Hana before he could do anymore to me.

"So he can just waltz in here, say he surrenders, and you just accept him!?" Sasuke was outraged.

"He deserves to be killed on the spot! He deserves to be tortured, endure the worst kind of death!" He continued. "And you all do nothing but capture him!?"

"Who says we aren't going to torture him?" Ibiki questioned.

"He has valuable information." Kurenai spoke, trying to show Sasuke a bit of reason. "What he knows about the Akatsuki that alone is incredibly valuable. But he was also a resident here for many years. And at the rank he was at when he… defected, he may also have information about the village that many of us don't know about, and that could lead to Konoha's downfall. Killing him immediately is not the way to go."

"But-" Sasuke tried to protest.

"But nothing, Sasuke!" Tsunade yelled. "He's being taken into custody and he is going to get privately interrogated by me. You can take your revenge as best you can all you want as long as you don't kill him later. Kiba, Naruto, anyone else who may want to can all take their turns on him later. But now, nobody else is touching him! Got it?"

Sasuke looked up into her eyes, defiant and ready to disobey her.

But he stopped when Sakura's hand landed on his shoulder. She whispered something to him, and he took a deep breath.

"Fine." He spat.

"Anyone else want to take a shot at me?" Tsunade questioned.

No one spoke.

"That's what I thought."

Suddenly, I broke into a coughing fit. Why now!

I heaved and choked harshly, standing up so I could get more air into my lungs. I wheezed. Damn it…

I ended up kneeling on the ground from the force of the coughs, coughing up blood for several minutes before I could breathe properly again, blood dripping down my chin and splattering on the ground and on my clothes. Due to still being tied in the string, I could only try and keep myself balanced with my knees, my hands bound to my sides.

"Sakura! Ino! Hinata" Tsuande ordered. "Examine him!"

They ran quickly to him, but Sakura was stopped by Sasuke.

"Don't touch him! He doesn't deserve fucking healing!"

"It's an order, Sasuke-kun!"

"I don't care, he-"

"Sasuke!" Tsunade yelled. "Shut up and let the girl do her damned job!"

He glared at Tsunade but let Sakura go. I saw red imprints from where his fingers where, but as if she didn't notice, Sakura sent Sasuke a reassuring look before running towards me.

Hinata was also stopped momentarily by Naruto, but after some coaxing from Hinata, he let her go.

I laid on my back, still tied up, as I felt three pairs of hands with healing chakra do a scan over my body.

I sat up when they were done, letting the ANBU tie me to a gurney.

"It's bad," Sakura spoke.

"H-he needs to be f-fully e-examined immediately!" Hinata added.

"Seems to have had it for years." Ino chimed in.

"Is it terminal? Can you tell Sakura?" Tsuande asked.

Sakura shook her head. "I don't think so. But if something isn't done, it will be and will kill him in a few years' time."

"He seems to have been taking drugs for it, but I doubt they're legal." Ino said.

"Where a-are th-they?" Hinata asked.

"In my cloak and on my person." I answered. "You can search for them later."

"How long have you known?" Tsunade asked.

I thought for a moment. "I was 14 or 15, I believe, when I realized. It may have started slightly before then. I doubt I was born with it. It would have been noticed."(13)

Everyone in the crowd was confused, but they didn't speak.

"Girls, I'll call you tomorrow." Tsunade, said to her apprentices.

"Everyone but Karin, Ibiki, Anko, Inoichi, Tenzou, Kakashi, and Asuma are to leave immediately and are not to speak of this. You may be charged if it is revealed that you leaked sensitive information out." Tsunade ordered. "We do not need the village to go into panic. You are dismissed."

The crowd quickly dispersed, a select few giving me dirty looks as they left.

I locked eyes with Hana before she leaped away. I will speak to you soon enough, Hana.

Exhausted from the journey and the coughing fit, I closed my eyes and let sleep take me as I felt ANBU take me to some private location for later interrogation. I hope this goes well…


Naruto POV

I distantly felt Hinata drag me somewhere as I internally fought Kurama after we were dismissed by Tsunade.

He was on greedy-bastard mode, trying to urge me to let loose and destroy everything, eventually getting to Itachi and hurt him (because killing him is Sasuke's job) for what he's done to my best friend, his family, and to members of the family of another friend.

Trying to calm that jerk down was a long and tiring process.

After we reached deeper into the wood, Hinata laid me on her lap, playing with my hair and let me focus conscious internally (as in in my mind, or wherever his cage is) to fight off Kurama.

After what felt like an hour, (I have no real idea how long) I finally returned to the outside world, no longer as angry (at Itachi) but exhausted.

"Ugh…" I groaned. "I'm so tired."

"W-wanna go t-to your apartment?" Hinata asked. I nodded up at her, reluctantly getting up from her lap.

When we reached there, I immediately went to the cupboards for something to eat, but Hinata pulled me away.

"Y-you can go t-take a shower o-or something. I-I'll get something c-cooked." I was surprised at the generous offer, but accepted when I saw the determined look in her eyes.

When I came back –in a t-shirt, sweatpants, and a towel around my shoulders– I found some stew made. "Whoa, Hinata-chan! This looks great!"

She looked down shyly, putting the apron she was wearing away. "Th-thank you, Naruto-kun. I'm sorry that it's just stew, I-I…" Good, she's stuttering less. That means she's more used to me… Soon, she may not stutter at all around me.

I shook my head, taking a seat at the table –in view of the TV– that I usually sat alone at. This is a pleasant change. "Nah, this is great! I didn't even know I had ingredients for stew, anyway. Now that I think about it, I think I only had ramen left as far as food went. Where'd you get the rest?"

Hinata walked toward me. "Iruka-sensei dropped off some groceries while you were in the shower."(14)

I nodded in understanding. "Oh, that makes sense."

I felt Hinata move to stand in front of me as her hands picked up the towel around my neck and placed it on my head, softly rubbing my hair dry.

I looked up in surprise at her.

She looked away, blushing. "You should dry your hair properly before you get sick."

I blushed myself, reaching up to dry my hair as her hands left. "Th-thanks." Why am I blushing now? Sakura-chan tells me this stuff all the time and I'm fine! I was fine even when I liked her!

I looked at Hinata as she took her own seat beside me, picking up her bowl of the stew. Maybe it's because Hinata's different than Sakura-chan… and my feelings are a different and stronger for Hinata-chan than they were with Sakura-chan.

When I liked Sakura, I wasn't shy in the least. Everybody knew it, and I wasn't afraid to show it.

But with Hinata… the faint feelings of nervousness that I used to feel around Sakura increased a thousand fold; I was more self-conscious; I blushed around her; my feelings for her were stronger. And maybe… more permanent. But in the dreams, it seems the older me is obviously crazy in love with Sakura, even though it looks like she doesn't return it.

I shook my head at the image of the dream where Sakura confessed to me, the one where everything felt off. Did she fake it? Why?

I reached for the remote. "Wanna watch some TV?"

Hinata nodded.

"What do you want to see?" I asked, turning it on and flipping through the channels.

"Anything is fine, as long as it isn't very bloody, please."

"'Kay, Hinata-chan," I replied, passing over what looked boring and searching for something interesting.

"Ooh!" I exclaimed, stopping at the 1st Harry Potter movie that was next on a channel, in 3 minutes. "Wanna see it?"

She nodded. "I'd love to. I've never seen them."

I gasped in horror after selecting the channel. "What?!"

She giggled at my reaction, nodding again. "My father did not want me to watch things with such heavy fiction in them. Disney was more than enough, in his opinion. Too much, really. Neji-nii-san, Hanabi and I all read the Harry Potter books multiple times in secret, though. And we watched anime and read some manga with some of our cousins. My father was less strict about them after the 7th volume of manga he found in Hanabi's room. But he still was against books like Harry Potter, for its 'childish, naïve, fiction.'"

I sighed in relief. "At least you've had anime and manga."

I scooted closer to Hinata, excited. "But judging by the commercial we just had, we're gonna get a marathon. We'll be watching these all night! This is gonna be awesome!"

She nodded, shyly leaning her head against my shoulder as she ate.

As the first movie began and after I turned off all the lights (fuck it being bad for your eyes – you have to watch HP with the best atmosphere and little light, my friends) I tentatively asked Hinata a question.

"Hey, Hina-chan?" I said, using the nickname I gave her and used half the time whenever I called her.

"Mm?"

"Can we… eat popcorn later? After this?" I paused myself for a second. "Wait, do I even have any?"

"I think I saw some, but why are you asking, Naruto-kun?"

I shrugged. "I don't want to make you feel like I don't appreciate the food you made me. Which I do – it's the best meal I've had in a long time!" And I enjoy the feeling of being cared after that you give me.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun." She blushed. "In that case…" she continued, looking up at me. "How many movies are there? Seven, like the books?"

"Eight, actually." I answered. "The last book was split into two parts; two movies."

She thought for a moment. "Then… when the third or fourth starts, why don't we eat some popcorn then? This stew isn't going to satisfy us all night. And I don't want to waste time with either of us cooking something else when we could be watching the movies instead." Man, she hasn't stuttered for quite a bit. This may be a new record! Woo-hoo!

"I-I mean… if it's a-alright with you, Naruto-kun." Or maybe not.

"Sounds like a plan! But be sure to get tissues, later. You'll need them." She laughed.

"Just let me know so I can get them before that movie starts," she said jokingly.

I laughed, too. "I'll be sure to!"


Still Naruto POV

The marathon started around 5 o'clock and, as I later realized, only broadcasted the first 4 movies. The rest would be aired around 11 the next morning (weird times) and Hinata decided to just sleep over tonight and watch the rest with me tomorrow. We were both free.

And besides: if we watched all of the movies one after another, in a row, it would take just over 20 hours to finish. Splitting them in half was better.

For the record, Hinata had called Ko just after we started the first movie to let him know where she'd be for the night. Iruka checked on me once around midnight to see how I was doing, hearing the movie, knowing I was still awake, and surprised to see Hinata here.

I was pretty irritated at his sudden appearance, though. I was just about to kiss Hinata-chan! And we were interrupted. Again. Ugh. So close!

Ko dropped off some of Hinata's stuff off here shortly after Iruka check on us.

Watching the movies with Hinata and spending time with her was the most fun I'd had in a long time. We even briefly discussed Itachi, but soon closed the subject after she saw my hands clench and saw me trying to restrain my anger and hatred for him.

Instead of continuing with the conversation, she simply held my hand and hugged me for a few moments as I calmed in her arms, both of us apologizing though we really didn't have to.

I slept peacefully on both the first night, and the next night, which she spent at her apartment because she had the Girl's Day with the other girls the day afterward.

I think I may not only like her, but am falling in love with her… Was the last thought I had that second night. And I'm kind of excited.


(1): I thought a lot about when I think the Massacre happened, and I concluded that Sasuke and Itachi's ages had to have been around 8 and 13. Around there. So in this timeline, because everything is a year after they happened the first time, it was six years ago. Sasuke and Itachi are now 14 and 19 respectively.
(2):
Again, this timeline is a year after they happened the first time. In Part 1 canon, Team 7 was 12-13 in the series, and Sasuke was about 13 when he left. In Shippuden, Team 7 is 15-16, most of which are likely 16 by the current point of the manga. Now, they're 13-14, everyone having turned 14 by now. So Shippuden sort of happened two years in the future. If you're still confused even after reading the story, just PM me and I'll try to explain better.
(3):
Yup. I incorporated Shino's "Why? Because _" speech mannerisms to make a cute friendship moment for Kiba and Shino. I always thought of them as best friends. And even if they're not in canon, they are here. Real close best buds.
(4):
Yup. Suigetsu's actually kinda crazy.
(5):
Suigetsu, in canon, is actually afraid of Orochimaru, but for whatever reason is obedient to him, as you'll see in later in the anime if you're following that or as you saw int he manga. Weird. But don't worry - he's not going to be so obedient to him here. At least, I don't plan on it.
(6):
Hana's dogs. That's what they're called. They're individual names are unknown. They're triplets, though.
(7):
Choujuro. I wasn't sure if he was actually a member of the Seven, but I looked it up and he is. Wow. He's a cutie.
(8):
I'm doing this based off memory. I remember him wanting Kisame to himself and stuff... but I'm too lazy to see if his goal is clearly stated on his wiki. Whatever. I know I'm close, more or less.
(9):
He's really gentle and stuff when not under the influence. Sorry for making him seem so soft and stuff though - I couldn't do anything else with him with the situation. I could tell that he's also more serious and obviously very smart, but I couldn't really add that here.
(10):
I think it has something to do with the whole "natural energy" thing... but I don't really know. I only recently just understood the whole Curse thing and Juugo's clan thing (I thought they were called the Juugo clan, which I thought was stupid; the translation of the manga I read must have had mistakes) when I watched that episode where Itachi and Sasuke started fighting Kabuto. I didn't really get it in the manga.
(11):
I remember during that Three Tails, Guren, and Yuukimaru (cutie) filler that Shizune had chakra strings under her sleeves. I think I saw it once in canon, maybe, but in canon she may have that anyway. So I applied that here. In my story, and maybe in canon but we don't know, she's a chakra string expert sorta person.
(12):
He, Jiraiya, Chouji, and possibly Kisame are the "biggest" characters in Naruto, taking into account weight and height. For some, it's more muscle mass than fat. Juugo has to be pretty big as a 16 year old (he's 18 in Shippuden), so I added that here. Just not as big as in the future. Because, you know. He grows. Like people tend to do.
(13):
Taking a random guess, here. Itachi had to have been ill for a couple years. No way was he born with it. Sasuke would've found out if he was.
(14):
Remember? Iruka lives next door and adopted him as his brother. He makes sure Naruto has food and stuff. Good brother, Iruka. No wonder I love you.

LOOOONG A/N, huh?

Sorry about the chapter guys; I didn't like it much, honestly.

QotW: Halloween plans?

Love,

Cherry