A/N: Thank you once again for all those wonderful reviews I received and I am glad to see so many people enjoying the story. Please review this chapter as well thanks.

Disclaimer: Last time I checked I did not own Naruto in anyway.

Previously

He knew he had never been able to get over his parents death but maybe now it was time to. Now he wasn't alone anymore and he would never be again. He had Naruto and Sakura and always would and maybe with their help he would be able to move on.

He was still going to get to the bottom of what happened to his parents but right now that wasn't his first priority. Tonight he just wanted to enjoy his time with Naruto, and he wanted to spend as much time as he could with Sakura. He wanted to enjoy his life like he once had. He knew it would take awhile to completely come out of the darkness and there would always be that hole in his heart from when his childhood and family were taken from him. But slowly they would help fill that hole and he found that he was ok with that.

'Yes I am home at last.' Sasuke thought to himself as he sat at the table with Kakashi and Naruto. 'I have a family again and this time I will not lose them.'

-

-

Together and apart

Sakura smiled as she gripped Sasuke's hand. The three of them were at the table with Kakashi as they filled Kakashi in on everything they had learnt and concluded about Sasuke's parent's death and Itachi. Kakashi was silent as he stared at Sasuke while Naruto explained the phone conversation and Sakura what they had thought about afterwards. Sasuke however was looking everywhere but at Kakashi. When Sakura had finished Kakashi frowned and looked at her then Naruto.

"You did the right thing coming to me" he said as the two smiled and nodded. Sasuke remained silent with his gaze fixed on the floor. He had never felt so uncomfortable before and he didn't even know why. Ever since Sasuke had moved in with Naruto he had been a lot happier and even the others had noticed. Though they were curious as to why Sasuke was now living with Naruto they didn't say anything and the only one who knew anything was Hinata who often came over. Though she only knew that Sasuke's brother had become dangerous and it wasn't safe at home for him anymore.

Sakura to had began spending a lot of time over there with her best friend and now her boyfriend as well. Once more Kakashi hadn't minded at all and even encouraged her to stay for dinner. She had even become accustomed to spending time there when both Kakashi and Naruto weren't, which she said was to keep Sasuke Company. Even if the truth was so she could spend some alone time with him, whether this was watching movies, talking or making out she didn't care. Naruto was often out with Hinata anyway, especially on Friday nights while Kakashi was at work a lot.

After two weeks of this they had finally decided to tell Kakashi. Itachi was giving both Sakura and Naruto glares whenever he spotted them while he simply smirked dangerously at Sasuke whom only glared back. There was defiantly a lot of tension between them. However it had become worse yesterday at school when Itachi like usual was skipping school and Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke decided to follow him. Sakura remembered it now.

Flashback

"Naruto quiet" Sakura hissed as she gripped onto Sasuke's hand. Sasuke had not wanted her to come along at all but it wasn't like they were doing anything wrong. They were simply walking down the street in the same direction as Itachi and his weird friend they had been introduced to before, Kisame. Though Sasuke had pointed out that Itachi would not see it that way if he found out.

"I'm trying" Naruto said a little to lid for Sasuke liking as he glared at him.

"Dobe shut up" he said through gritted teeth as Naruto poked his tongue out at him.

"Hey guys he just disappeared into that alley" Sakura told them as they frowned.

"There's nothing in their though" Naruto told them as Sasuke frowned.

"Come" he ordered as he led them to a café opposite the alley. They sat down and Sasuke told them both to order something.

"But I have no money" Naruto whined as Sakura sighed.

"Ill pay" Sasuke muttered angrily as Naruto grinned and ordered ramen for himself. Although Sasuke had moved out his parents assets had been divided in two with the haves being placed in each boy's bank accounts so Sasuke still had a lot of money.

"Thanks" Sakura whispered as Sasuke nodded. It was over an hour later when Itachi emerged followed by Kisame and two others. Sakura gasped as she saw what he was wearing. A black cloak with a familiar symbol on the back.

"What" Sasuke asked as Sakura averted her eyes.

"That symbol I know it" she replied as both boys frowned. Itachi nodded at the three men before the approached a black car and got in, then drove away leaving only dust behind them.

"How" Naruto enquired.

"What does it mean" Sasuke demanded.

"I know because I have heard of them, Tenten told me about them"

"How the hell does she know" Naruto wondered out loud.

"I don't know, we passed a guy belonging to that gang at the shops and she told me about them"

"Wait gang" Sasuke repeated as Sakura nodded.

"That symbol is only worn by members of this gang."

"Wait what gang" Naruto said before his eyes widened. "That gang, Kakashi has told me about them"

"What are they" Sasuke demanded.

"They are bad, dangerous even. They practically control downtown. There known as drug dealers, smokers and all. You know setting up illegal parties and stuff. But word is that if you have a problem and a lot of money you give it to their boss and the gang will deal with it for you. They have never been caught either. There dangerous, really dangerous and they haven't recruited another member since there forming a few years ago. Around the time as your parent's death teme"

"Shit" Sasuke cursed as Sakura gripped his hand.

"I guess we can gather that Itachi is defiantly involved in your parent's death, if he was a member of this gang then it wouldn't surprise me if this gang is to blame." Sakura exclaimed.

"Who is their leader" Sasuke asked.

'No one knows" Naruto replied. "All I know is that there are eleven members and there work close with Orochimaru's lot" Sasuke frowned at that name. Orochimaru was a wanted criminal who was yet to be caught and although they didn't have much to do with their town he was still well known. Sasuke guessed that it was this gang that Itachi was apart of that did Orochimaru's dirty work.

"So Itachi is apart of it, that figures" Naruto said as Sakura nodded.

"Guys I think its time we told Kakashi"

"Yeah alright" Sasuke mumbled at Sakura who smiled weakly.

"Good then lets do it tomorrow, it's a Saturday so he should be home"

"Hn"

"Sounds good to me" Naruto said as Sakura laughed.

"Come on lets go" Sasuke told them as he got up. He wasn't in the best of moods which Sakura and Naruto could understand. They walked back to Kakashi's in silence before Sasuke finally spoke.

"What's the name?"

"Huh?" Sakura said.

"The gang, what's its name?" Sasuke asked as Sakura made an o shape with her mouth.

"Akatsuki" she replied. "They cal themselves the Akatsuki"

End Flashback

"This is interesting" Kakashi mumbled. "I already knew about him belonging to the gang but at least now I know for sure he was involved"

"Wait what" Sasuke asked glaring at Kakashi. "You knew?" Kakashi sighed as he looked at Sasuke with pity and sadness. When he next spoke it was in a calm, almost soothing voice.

"I admit I knew it wasn't an accident, the car incident I mean. But I couldn't prove it. I had my suspicions about Itachi but once more I couldn't prove it and I wasn't a hundred percent sure, more like ninety-nine, though now I am."

"So you knew or suspected and you didn't tell me" Sasuke demanded as Kakashi nodded sadly.

"I'm sorry Sasuke but I had my reasons. I felt you were too young to have to deal with this and you had just lost your parents I didn't want to burden you anymore. Besides I knew it Itachi knew you knew he would be dangerous. Look what he tried to do to me when he discovered I suspected him"

"So were you ever going to tell me then?"

"Of course I was, but I was going to wait until you turned sixteen first and could make your own decisions."

"Hn"

"I did try you know, and even after I lost I tried to keep you away from him. I knew it was a mistake you survived, a good mistake" he added. "And I for one didn't want anything to happen to you. Your father knew Itachi had joined this gang and tried to stop him. He came to me the day before the accident and told me himself, asking me if anything happened to him to look out for you and your mum. He didn't even tell your mother but I suspect he was going to that day he took you all out. But he didn't know what was going to happen and afterwards I made it my mission to do what I could to protect you. For your parents sake as well as my own." He sighed in grief looking at a picture nearby of himself and his three friends, their fathers.

"I lost my last two best friends that day and I promised myself that I will never lose someone important to me again. You three being like my own children fall into that category. I looked after Naruto when he lost his parents, and I still try to look after you Sakura whenever I can. And I will always be there to help you Sasuke, Itachi is no longer who he use to be and I will help you get to the bottom of this I promise. That's if you can forgive me from keeping this a secret and if you want my help"

Sasuke looked up at him deep in thought. Apart of him was angry that Kakashi never told him the truth but he understood why and he couldn't blame him. He would have done the same thing in Kakashi's place as well. Besides he knew Kakashi could help them, being an adult and all. As well as detective work came with his job so he was very good at it. He nodded slowly at him and saw Kakashi smile back.

"Hn I accept your help" he said as Kakashi laughed.

"You really do remind me of Fugaku" he exclaimed making Sasuke smirk a little.

"Ok from now on I will try and look around and find out what I can, but I want you three to stay away and let me do the looking. It's dangerous and I can get away with it but you cant. So I promise to tell you if I find anything if you promise to stay away from danger."

"We promise" Sakura told him as Naruto nodded.

"Yeah me to"

"Sasuke?" Kakashi asked.

"You promise not to hide anything from us?"

"Yes everything I find I will tell you"

"Hn fine I promise" he muttered as Kakashi smiled.

"Good"

That night Sakura smiled as she lay comfortable in Kakashi's spare bedroom, his other one now being Sasuke's room. Sakura had also begun sleeping over frequently, every weekend in fact. Her home was always so quiet and empty where here she could hear Naruto's loud snores and Sasuke's occasional murmur thru the walls which helped her sleep easier. Not to mention waking up to Sasuke and Naruto's fights always brought a smile to her face.

Kakashi didn't mind at all, in fact he was the one who first offered it. Her sleeping over that was. He had said one night when Sakura fell asleep while the three were watching a movie that she was welcome to stay over whenever she wanted and that he didn't mind at all, as long as she slept in either the spare bedroom or the couch and not in Sasuke's bed. At this point Sakura had blushed while Sasuke just glared at Kakashi. Naruto however had called him a pervert, at which Kakshi had just laughed at him.

-

-

Time passed, the year went on and soon it had been nearly three months into the year. During this time most of the ouples had grown remarkably. Sasuke and Sasuke were still very close and even if he didn't like displaying public affection when he thought no one was looking he would and even in front of people would do little gestures like hold her hand or put his arm around her. Naruto and Hinata were getting a lot closer as well and Hinata didn't blush as much or stammer in his presence. Shikamaru and Ino were perhaps the funniest couple.

They still acted like best friends with Ino bossing him around and Shikamaru not paying much attention to what she said. Yet they were usually the ones who would disappear at school and come back all flushed. They were probably the most affectionate in public with each other with then never missing a chance to kiss or make out. A fact that highly amused Naruto for some reason, though no one could figure out why. Sasuke just blamed it on his childish and immature ways. The only couple who hadn't made any progress in their relationship was Neji and Tenten. If anything theirs was going down hill fast.

Although Tenten hadn't said anything directly all could tell that she was annoyed, except Neji of course. All they seemed to do was fight about everything just as they had done before they started going out. Except before Tenten and Neji hadn't really cared about it and if anything they had actually enjoyed fighting with each other, though Sakura guessed it was because secretly they were attracted to the other. But this was back when they were enemies and not a couple, now it just annoyed Tenten and well no one could tell how Neji felt about it.

Tenten was also becoming angry at him for anther reason. At first she hadn't minded that he didn't really give her any affection and all, mainly because she didn't really know how she felt about the relationship. But as time had gone passed and Sakura and Sasuke had at last got together it was irritating to think that even Sasuke the cold hearted barstard showed her some affection when they weren't in public. Where as all Tenten and Neji did when they were alone was fight or stay in silence. He never talked to her or did anything with her. And he was still cold and arrogant towards her. She was starting to wonder if he even liked her.

She had talked about this with the girls and while Hinata had tried to tell her that Neji did have actual feelings she couldn't seem to believe her. Not that Hinata blamed her. It had taken Neji years to actually show any emotion or feeling towards her and she was his cousin. Tenten had asked the girls what to do and although Sakura had tried to tell her to give it more time even she could see that it wasn't going anywhere with them. Ino had been the bluntest telling her friend to break it off so she could move on and find someone who would treat her right.

Hinata hadn't said anything in response to this while Tenten had just told them she would think about it. Truth was Hinata was resisting the urge to go and tell her cousin, while shouting at him for his lack of brain. Hinata liked Tenten and knew she did deserve to be treated right. But she could also see that as much as she was annoyed by her cousin she deeply loved him. That was why she was so hesitant to break it off entirely with Neji, though it wasn't long before her anger got the better off her and if Neji wasn't careful despite her feelings she would end it.

But Hinata also knew that despite Neji's dull attitude towards her, their constant arguments and his lack of affection her showed her or didn't show her he did like her. He liked her a lot and Hinata wouldn't be surprised if he actually loved her. after all Neji had never shown any interest in girls and the only girl apart from herself that Neji would even talk to, before Sakura and Ino had become friends, was Tenten. She knew that her cousin would be devastated to loose Tenten yet she couldn't tell him. She knew that this was something they had to sort out on their own. Yet that wasn't happening which was shown by the girls meeting for afternoon tea on a Friday afternoon.

"I can't wait for this party" Ino was saying as the others just laughed. Next weekend Ino's parents were going away and to celebrate her and Tenten's sixteenth birthday. Neji, Naruto and Shikamaru were already sixteen while the gang had just celebrated Hinata's birthday a few weeks ago. Ino's was on the Saturday, the day of the party while Tenten's wouldn't be for another few weeks but because she didn't actually have a family herself and since the end of last year lived at Ino's, so that Ino's parents treated her like their daughter, Ino had decided this year she would share hers with Tenten.

"Yeah whatever" Tenten mumbled. She wasn't to happy with this idea of sharing a birthday, in fact she hated her birthday., it only reminded her if the family she didn't have and never knew. Tenten had been five when she was found abandoned in a shopping mall. After going from foster home to foster home she arrived temporarily at one in Konoha when she was twelve. Here she had become best friends with Ino and had practically lived at Ino's house wince her foster home also sheltered eight other children.

Then when it had been time for her to move again Ino's parents had decided to foster her. they knew they couldn't adopt her because her mother could still come to claim her at any time but once she turned sixteen she could choose what happened to her so if that occasion ever arises she would choose to stay with her new family. Ino's parents had come to love her as their own anyway and Ino still saw her as a sister, even if they were so different.

Therefore Ino knowing that Tenten would never celebrate her birthday, and so there parents would make an even bigger deal out of this party cause there was two of them, she had decided to make it a joined party and conveniently was on the weekend her parents had to go away for work. She had been talking about it for weeks and now that it was only a week and one day away she was so excited she could barely contain herself. She was sure that after this Tenten wouldn't be so depressed about her birthdays even if the whole Neji thing was getting her down. She sighed as she looked at her friend.

"When are you going to dump him already?" she asked as Tenten shrugged.

"I want to I just can't seem to get the words out" she admitted as Sakura stared at her.

"You actually want to go through with it?"

"Well yeah" Tenten replied as Hinata patted her on the shoulder to show she wasn't mad by her decision.

"It's ok" Sakura told her.

"I don't really want to its just that…I just can't stand it anymore. If were going to keep fighting then we should just go back to being enemies and therefore I can move on and get on with my life"

"Good girl" Ino said proudly as Tenten raised an eyebrow at her.

"I still like him you know"

"Yeah but you'll get over that" Ino exclaimed a Tenten shook her head at her friend.

"I hope so, besides he doesn't seem to like me very much anyway"

"He does Tenten he just doesn't show it" Hinata told her friend as the said girl turned to face her with a weak smile.

"I wish I could believe you Hinata but I just cant. Not anymore"

"I know" Hinata said. "And no matter what you choose we will stand by you to the end. Right guys?"

"Of course we will" Sakura told her.

"Well der friends forever means friends forever" Ino informed them making them all laugh.

"So when are you…?" Sakura trailed off as Tenten straightened up.

"I'm going to break up with him…tonight"

-

-

Tenten sighed as she knocked on Neji's door. After Tenten suggested going out somewhere he had declined but eventually after Tenten persisted he had instead invited her over so they could watch a few movies and Tenten had known that the night would be extremely boring.

"You're late" Neji told her as he opened the door and let her in. Tenten frowned; did he always have to act like a jerk? God would it kill him to at least say hello first.

"Yeah well I'm not staying long:" she told him as he turned to look at her I surprise. Tenten knew it was now or never.

"Wait so you bugged me because you wanted to do something with me and now your bailing out, god you can be annoying" he muttered as she glared at him.

"Yeah well I have changed my mind" she said as he sighed.

"Fine it's your choice, ill see you Monday then" he exclaimed as she narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah I guess you will" she muttered in a stiff cold voice.

"What's with you this evening?" he asked, she was never this cold towards him. Her teasing and comments were always in a stern voice but never in this kind of one. She was angry, for real this time.

"What's with me, what's with you?"

"Me I haven't done anything" he argued.

"Exactly Neji you haven't done anything" she said with a sigh.

"What's that suppose to mean, you want me to do something?"

"Well yes I do" she told him.

"What then?" he demanded.

"Anything" she yelled. "Anything to show you human, anything to show you have feelings. Maybe even to show you like me. But no instead you act like an arrogant jerk"

"Jerk?' he repeated, frowning at her.

"Yes Neji Hyuga you are a jerk and you don't even give a damm about anyone but yourself"

"What are you so mad at?"

"You, I'm mad at you. I'm mad that we always fight, that you have no respect for me. I'm mad that even the emotionless Sasuke will give Sakura his time willingly and show affection to her when needed. I'm mad because he knows what she wants and needs, he knows her. I'm mad that I have to listen to Ino and Hinata tell me how good life is with their boyfriends when I can't say anything on account our relationship never goes anywhere"

"So what, you're mad at me because of what?'

"Because of all those things and more" she shouted angrily.

"That explains everything" he muttered sarcastically.

"I'm mad because you're a heartless person Neji, you don't understand anything and" she took a deep breathe to calm herself down and stepped back. "And that's why I am breaking up with you"

"Wait your what?" he asked as she straightened up.

"I'm breaking up with you Neji, its over. I can't do this anymore, pretending I'm happy when you're just making my life miserable."

"But..."

"No buts, I like you Neji. I like you a lot but you don't seem to feel the same way"

"Tenten" he said desperately but she had already turned around and opened the door. She tried to fight back tears as she heard him behind her.

"Goodbye Neji" she whispered and she stepped into the night, shutting the door firmly behind her. Neji stood frozen, staring at the spot where she just was. His heart ached painfully like it had been ripped apart. And he knew why. There was a hole there, a painful hole where she had been. And now he had lost her because of his stupidity. He should have realized that he would have to make changes, eh would have to put away his cold and arrogant appearance for her and show her just how much he loved her.

Yes he, Neji Hyuga had fallen in love with her and he had been desperate to tell her. But ever since her had found out he had been afraid and now that fear had made her think he didn't like her anymore. Why hadn't he told her sooner, before it was too late? Why instead of admitting how he felt had he tried to isolate himself and hide how he felt. Why did he subconsciously push her away because he was scared to love? But he wasn't anymore, he wasn't scared to love. He was scared to loose her to someone else.

'Whatever it takes Tenten I am going to get your back, no matter what' Neji declared silently. 'I love you and your mine, you belong with me and I will let no one else have you. I will get you back Tenten, I will'

A/N: Yes Tenten broke up with him, yet she still loves him. Hmm I wonder what will happen at Ino's party. Oh well you will find out soon but only by pushing the button and submitting a review. Till next time folks…