Tsunade

Same Night

Closing the door behind her, Tsunade slowly walked towards her husband and sat down beside him. Tsunade eyed the flowers next to his bed and turned back to him. Her manicured hand traced the contours of his face and finally rested on his cheek.

"It's been a while hasn't it, my love?" Tsunade began, "Tell me, the loneliness, has it finally become your companion"

Tsunade laughed a bit before calming down and returning to her sorrowful mood.

"I can't stand the lonliness. But I can't stand you more. How could you just bring that girl into our home and assume everything will be alright? After Sakura was rejected by Itachi to be Sasuke's bride, can you imagine how enraged I felt? The Senju have been around a long time. They even helped the Uchiha build this kingdom. But to select a bride from a remote clan that hasn't been around a long-time is an insult to my family. Why couldn't you understand?

"Luckily, the Akatsuki took care of the brat Prince Itachi; trust me I wasn't involved in that nuisance. But I couldn't let you have your way in turning in the only Hyuuga who survived, the one who is truly betrothed to Sasuke. I couldn't deny Sakura that chance. And I regret having done this to you. I couldn't practice medicine anymore because I would see your face everywhere, silently judging me. However, the Senju will always come first; and your sacrifice will not be in vain"

Tsunade kissed Jiraiya's forehead, whispering in his ear,

"Mark my words; Hinata Hyuuga won't steal away Sakura's future. Goodbye, Jiraiya"

And with that, Tsunade took out a srynge, injected Jiraiya with a serum, as she always did, and left.

Sakura P.O.V

Sakura followed Hinata and Sasuke from the cafe to an apartment building. She could see Hinata say something to Sasuke, while blushing like a high school girl. Sasuke seemed to be laughing at Hinata. Sasuke is laughing? Sakura thought. She took note of Sasuke drawing closer to Hinata, cupping her face and kissing her forehead, all the way to her nose. He stopped and gazed into Hinata's lavender eyes, and finally embraced Hinata. Sakura clutched the red shirt around her heart. Why, why could he never do that with me?

Hinata broke away and pecked Sasuke on the cheek. She turned to go inside when Sasuke grabbed her hand and turned her back, capturing her lips in his own. Sakura turned away, not bearing to view anymore of these intimate moments anymore. Instead, she texted Tsunade, informing her that she would be coming home that night.

When she looked back, Sasuke was alone, walking towards her hiding spot. Sakura immediately stepped in front of him, her eyes sparkling with tears.

"Sakura? What are you doing here?" Sasuke demanded.

"Do you like her?"

"Who's her?"

"You know I'm talking about Hinata. Were you never going to return my love Sasuke?"

"You know there's no way I was going to give you something I obviously don't have. And yes, I do like Hinata"

"Why?"

"She's the only light I see"

With that, Sasuke moved past a sobbing Sakura. It's not going to end this way, Sakura vowed, I will have you Sasuke.

Hinata P.O.V

Hinata was on cloud nine; she had never felt so light-hearted. When she told Ten-ten, both ended up jumping and giggling on Ten-ten's bed, talking all night. At school, she hummed through a test in one of her classes. At lunch hour, Shino and Kiba -who were just too curious at the behaviour of this elated Hinata who had been glum earlier that week- interrogated Hinata.

"Hinata, is there a reason why you're acting so different today?" Kiba asked.

"Different, how?" Hinata responded.

"Earlier this week, you were very upset; to the point where you barely talked to us and kept staring into space in most of your classes. Today, you hummed through the biochemistry test and giggled through the lab class. Care to explain," Shino said.

"Oh that, is there a reason not to be happy?" Hinata asked.

"No," Kiba said, "it's just you were sad and didn't tell us why. And now you're happy and we still want to know why"

"Today just feels like a good day. I have to go. Bye"

Kiba and Shino wanted to call out but Hinata had already sauntered away through a number of students in the hallway. Hinata smoothed out the wrinkles on her baby blue dress and continued on when her hand was suddenly grabbed and she was pulled into a storage room. Hinata raised her fists, ready to attack her abductor when she felt a familiar pair of soft lips on her own. Her hands automatically found their way around Sasuke's neck as his trailed down from her neck to her waist. They separated for air, their foreheads touching.

"Hey," Sasuke whispered.

"Hi," Hinata breathed, "I nearly pummeled you"

"Then I must count myself lucky you didn't"

"Tch"

"Did you just steal one of my signature words?"

"Maybe"

"Then we have to do something about that don't we?"

Hinata giggled and leaned her head on Sasuke's broad chest.

"I thought we were going to see each other later tonight," Hinata whispered.

"I know. But I missed you," Sasuke replied, "And, I have to go the Uchiha Manor. My father has summoned me"

Hinata remained silent and pecked Sasuke's neck, mumbling,

"Can we keep up with this Sasuke?"

"I don't know. Look, let's just enjoy this moment"

"Okay. But, there's something I have to tell you first"

"Shh. Later, okay?"

Hinata wanted to tell him about the engagement arrangement, but simply nodded. She would tell him later. For fifteen minutes, they remained in each other's arms when Hinata got a text from Tsunade to meet at her house. The two, not wanting to leave, parted and promised to meet at Hinata's apartment.

Tsunade's House

Hinata entered the house, greeting Shizune who told her where to find Tsunade. Making her way to Tsunade's study, Hinata knocked on the door and announced her presence.

"Enter," Tsunade shouted.

Once inside, Hinata was surprised to see Sakura there, but quickly bowed and greeted the two.

"You wanted to see me Lady Tsunade," Hinata began.

"Pack your things. You will be leaving Konoha," Tsunade ordered.

"What?!"

"You heard me. Take your things because you are leaving Konoha tonight"

"Why?"

"My family comes first. You know your place Hinata. And yet you go ahead and create relationships with the crown Prince! How dare you after all I've done for you? Are you really that spiteful?"

"Lady Tsunade..."

"There's no point in defending yourself Hinata," Sakura cut in, "I saw everything you did that night at the cafe. I can't believe you of all people would betray me. Do you know that if you were reported, it would be treason against the king? What a shameful person you are"

"You don't understand, I can't leave Sasuke's side," Hinata begged, going on her knees.

"The only one who can be at Sasuke's side is Sakura. What exactly were you hoping for Hinata? A chance to become royalty? A break from servitude? Know this, you have no place here, you have no one here and no place in this society. But if you want to start acting stubborn, remember that I'm also financing your dear Ten-ten. Unless you want to see her dreams crushed, you better listen to my orders.

"Now, I don't want to see your face. If you show yourself again, I'll have you arrested. There'll be someone waiting at your apartment at seven this evening to take you to your new master. Now leave!" Tsunade barked, slamming her fist on her table.

Tsunade and Sakura watched as Hinata shakily stood up and vacated the room.

"Are you alright my dear," Tsunade spoke.

"Yes I am," Sakura replied, "thank you"

"Anything for you, my dear. No one deserves to be queen other than you. His Majesty should be informing Sasuke about the engagement right about now. A week after your birthday, you will be married. For now, we should be preparing for your wedding"

Uchiha Manor

"I'm not marrying her!"

Sasuke and his father had been arguing ever since he was told he would be wedded to Sakura. He knew that he should have expected this the moment his mother tried to butter him up right before he went in to meet his father.

"It's your duty, Sasuke. I won't have you throwing tantrums," Fugaku bellowed.

"Yeah, it's your duty this. It's your duty that. Forget duty. All my life I've had people making decisions for me. For once I'm going to do things my way"

"NO! I will not allow it. When I first allowed something like this, I lost a son. I thought it would be a good idea to break tradition and I lost Itachi. I will no longer condone this kind of behaviour. You will be marrying Sakura of the Senju clan and that's that. Someone take the Prince into his quarters and keep him there!"

The palace guards escorted a furious and shouting Sasuke out of the room and into his quarters.

Hinata's apartment

"You can't leave Hinata. You have to fight them," a teary Ten-ten pleaded, watching Hinata pack only her clothes and a few precious items.

"If I don't leave, only bad things will happen. I can't do that to you or Sasuke. I should have never started this," Hinata sniffled.

"I don't care if they don't sponsor me. We can find some way to work this out. We could ask for help from Naruto. We could..."

"No, Ten-ten. I can't let you sacrifice your dream for me. Look, it's almost seven. I'll be leaving soon. All the stuff I left behind is all yours. I don't think my new owners will allow my freedom. You live on"

Ten-ten pulled Hinata into a bear hug and both girls wept until they heard a knock on the door.

"It's time," Hinata squeaked. She pulled away from Ten-ten and took her suitcase. Hinata took an envelope from her cardigan and gave it to Ten-ten.

"I've been trying to call Sasuke but his cell wasn't going through. Can you give this to him for me? Tell him I'm sorry" Hinata requested. Ten-ten nodded and hugged her friend one last time before she left the apartment.

Suna

The man gazed out the window, taking in the view of the still night. One would assume him blind, but a closer look and they would notice the grey tint in his white irises. He heard a knock on the door and he called out for the person to enter.

"My Lord," the red eyed woman said, "all preparations have been made to return to the Land of Fire. We have people in Onsen who will be looking after the compound and awaiting your arrival"

"Thank you, Kurenai. I think I've stayed in Sunagakure long enough. I'm sure you've missed our home too?"

"That's true"

"Have letters sent to His Majesty of my return. Make a request to him that it should be kept secret, but that I'll once again take responsibility for Onsen"

"Yes, Lord Hiashi"