'til It's Gone
Chapter 01: Where I Started From

"He's being a pain in the ass," a feminine pout sat on her lips. The broad hand gesture could have meant anything.

"Not really, I'd say you're the ass right now," a derisive snort.

"What the hell, 'kashi!" two green eyes glared at him and he wondered if he should have backed down.

A smirk, "he embarrassed you. Get over it. Let's check his dossier." Sakura cursed him for being right.

Two manicured fingernails pinched his ear and yanked hard, "be good, 'kashi-chan, or I'll have to kick your butt."

"Alright, alright, jeez, PMS-ing?" he muttered to himself. Kakashi found himself kissing the floor right after the crackle of her knuckles.

Two green eyes slowly slipped back to the folder and she checked the contract. If there was anything that Uchiwa had taught Sakura it was the importance of words and paperwork. Hinata-sama had been a stickler for doing things well and thoroughly.

Kakashi whined, "Sakuuura-chaaan! Why?" She ignored him and watched the display Naruto was putting on in the arena. Rapid fire jutsu were being thrown everywhere. Blue chakra flared around when suddenly she felt it. It spiked around her and seemed to invade her sense. The sinister feel was cool around her.

Staring unblinkingly at the red chakra that emitted from all around him, she nudged Kakashi. He shrugged and Sakura felt a tremendous power crush in on her and she started gasping. It was thick and the air turned humid. It stopped and Sakura had to remember how to breathe.

She turned to Kakashi and stated, "him, we need him."

His one visible eye curved upwards and she assumed he was smiling. Kakashi smoothly replied, "of course. I'll finalize the deal now with Yamato."

I'm not super religious
but lately I've been praying and hoping and wishing

Like the typing of keyboards Hinata heard her heels click against the floors of Uchiwa Inc. Fumbling for the light switch in the dark she managed to find it after feeling against the wall for a good five minutes. She wished Ino was still there. The blond woman was always in early and usually had been there for sometime before herself. Now she had to work with these slackers. Seriously, it took three people to do Ino's job.

Four, she corrected herself mentally, not that Sasuke did anything except for brood. Sitting at her desk, Hinata opened up the Wallpaper folder and dragged Itachi's private files into it. Closing it back up she wondered if she should put a password lock on it.

Looking up from her desk, she saw Sasuke pass her. "Good morning Uchiha-san," she said evenly.

He looked at her and nodded before going into Itachi's office. Pursing her lips Hinata called out, "Sasuke-san! You can't go in there! Itachi-sama is not in y-yet."

Two bright red Sharingan eyes stared at her and Hinata felt a smirk tug at her lips. Hinata's nerves worked themselves out and the chakra flowed easily. The forgotten art was in her blood, she would never forget how to use it. 'Byakugan.' Her pale eyes stared easily back in response.

"Please, wait out here, Sasuke-san," Hinata murmured demurely.

The red eyes receded into darkness and he flopped into a cushy leather chair. Hinata simply turned back to her own computer screens and opened up all of her e-mails. Trimmed fingernails hit the keys as she logged into the server.

"Do you know where Ino is?" Sasuke asked gruffly.

Shaking her head Hinata responded, "No, I do not Sasuke-san. Itachi-sama is sending Shiranui-san to search for her in the Palace."

"Palace?" she heard him murmur, "Who knew she was so well connected?"

Hinata shrugged off his comments and continued to peruse the server at her leisure. So many gossip rags to placate, so little time…

Her ears perked up as she heard the distinctive gait of someone who was athletic and agile. It was relaxed and calm so she knew it was Suigetsu. Juugo's footsteps were heavier and Karin walked faster.

"Good morning, Suigetsu-san," Hinata said, lifting her head to greet him.

"Morning, 'nata-chan," he responded sitting in Ino's former desk. She saw that he logged into the server and felt the connection slow down a touch. He was probably buying music again.

Pushing herself backwards she rolled over to see him hunched over his laptop. "Suigetsu-san?"

"Suigetsu, 'nata-chan, the name is Suigetsu," he said, grinning at her.

Pausing slightly, Hinata sighed, "Suigetsu, did you finish the report about Whitefire PMC?"

There was a curse and Hinata noticed that he had logged off and was furiously typing away now. Patting herself on the back, she went back to her business. If that was going to keep the loud, obnoxious music at bay, so be it. Hinata was tired of them.

Opening the e-mail marked with 'urgent' she stared at her computer screen and then looked at Sasuke for a moment. Sub division? Taka? The gears in her head came to a crunch and she decided that she would ask Itachi later.

The next person through the vicinity was Itachi. Hinata rose and followed behind him closely. "Itachi-sama, Sasuke-san is here to see you a-about something."

"He wants to become a subdivision of the company," black eyes narrow, "wants to rename them Taka. As in, 'hawk'."

"Hai, Itachi-sama…" she looked at him. He looked tired.

"Finish your work and go home," Itachi dismissed her and barked, "Sasuke!"

Returning to her desk, Hinata saw that Juugo and Karin had come in. Juugo was waiting by the door to give Itachi the reports and she found it pitiful that two of them had to do it. How inefficient, she thought to herself. She bumped into Suigetsu and blushed.

"Gomen…" skirting around him she sat down at her desk. Hinata had work to be done. There was no point in prying into the others' affairs.

Hinata jumped. A little spooked by the sudden shriek she found Karin dragging Suigetsu by his hair. The pale hair reminded her of Ino. Turning away from the spectacle Hinata felt sick. She didn't know these people at all. She missed Ino.

She continued to browse the internet. Mm, apparently there was a hot red head in town from another continent. A silver haired sex god was seen in the airport. The usual gossip and nothing about Uchiwa.

A dark essence swept across the room and the fighting quieted for a moment. Sasuke sat down in the soft leather couches and closed his eyes. Pale eyes focused on her task. Three more papers and two contract reviews with the press.

"I-I…wish they would stop," Hinata sighed quietly. Her eyes were tired already. It was probably only ten o'clock in the morning. She checked facts and considered proposals for another hour.

SLAM!

Karin suddenly smashed her chair which was behind Hinata. Suigetsu returned a scowl with the heiress and he looked equally annoyed. Hinata was too distracted now, picking up her laptop bag she stalked out of the room and into Itachi's room. Why was everything setting her off right now? Was she being the bitch or was Karin? Boldly she went in without permission.

"Itachi-sama!" she stood glaring at him sternly, "I cannot work with them in the office."

Blinking, he looked at her for a long moment. "Excuse me?"

Suddenly, Hinata was blushing and she shrunk back. Her hands clasped and she bowed. "Gomen nasai, Itachi-sama! I was out of place, forgive me."

"It's about time. Maybe I should move them to the other offices in Kuma?"

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Hinata recited blankly.

"Hai, hai," Itachi sighed, "work from home today. I have no need for you to be physically in the office."

Being dismissed, Hinata bowed and fled. She had no idea why they were getting on her nerves so much. Usually she was tolerant and respectful of them. Running a hand through her hair Hinata walked back across the floor.

Moving quickly she dodged morning workers and the usual lot of people just filing in from morning meetings or from coffee breaks. Her heels clicked against the floor rhythmically. When she had just crossed the floor she heard the heavier foot falls behind her.

"Hinata-san," it was Sasuke, "d'you know where Ino is?"

"Why?"

Sasuke had never been trustworthy to her. He did his job well and fine, but because it benefited him as well. "Ask Shiranui-san, he might know. He is her bodyguard."

"Thank you, Hinata," there was something strange in his voice. Noting it, she made a point to tell Genma or Itachi later.

I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me

It was huge, giant, enormous, mammoth, colossal, but magnificent. Genma had never seen castles from the front, usually he was sneaking in through a window or something. A dark haired servant greeted him. A black suit with a crisp white shirt fit snug and seemed more secret service than butler.

"Shiranui-san, Kazahana-dono is in this room here," he bowed and opened the door.

He bowed low to the Empress and waited until she spoke to rise. "Good morning, Shiranui-san. I have a feeling that you would rather speak to Yamanaka-san?"

Trying to remain dignified and composed Genma nodded, "yes, Kazahana-dono, but seeing you is just as pleasing."

A delicate eyebrow rose, "I am flattered, Yamanaka Ino is stunning."

"I wish to see if she is alright, Kazahana-dono," he smiled bitterly, "we have not been in contact and I wish to tell everyone how she is doing, except for Itachi."

"Mm," she smiled lightly.

Genma had a soft look in his eye, "is she here working?"

Koyuki shook her head and replied, "yes and no. I have granted her temporary asylum so that she may hide from Itachi while putting together a team to wreak havoc for him."

"And you condone this, Kazahana-dono?" he looked scandalized.

"Nonsense," she chuckled softly, "go, tell Balthazar to take her to you. I trust your intentions."

Backing out of the room Genma felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. He was still her bodyguard, or was employed as so, so checking up on her was the least he could do. Balthazar's unnaturally bright green eyes stared at him for a moment. "Come," he said clearly.

Genma followed him as they were led out into a conservatory. Glass was everywhere and it was air conditioned despite having a rather greenhouse like effect. Spying a flash of yellow among the rich flora his hopes soared. She was alright. What if Ino was still mad? Maybe she was pissed off at all of them still? That was why she had quit right? Balthazar stopped behind him as he approached her.

"Ino?"

"It's good to see you again," she gave him a slight nod of acknowledgement. Maybe she was still mad at him? He suddenly felt like she was a stranger, even though she still had the same mannerisms.

"I'm…sorry I was not able to do my job during your…" his voice hitched and he winced. He was probably digging up unpleasant memories and stuff. Bad Genma, bad!

Ino looked down for a moment before smiling up wickedly, "it is good to see you alright. I imagine you were guarding my house like a good guard dog, eh?"

"Shut up, you know I looked over my contract yesterday. Apparently I'm employed by your father, not Uchiwa Inc.," he shrugged. Ino was exciting and it was boring sitting around her house by himself. He hadn't even had sex in over six months because it felt wrong that her presence was still everywhere but she was not.

Ino rolled her eyes, "but you have to go back to Uchiwa to keep Itachi distracted."

"And what about Sasuke?" he rebutted.

"Damn, he's probably too busy with Itachi's demands, at least, that's what I'm counting on," she replied moodily.

"If anyone, he's out to get you for how you humiliated him," Genma responded dryly. He looked around for a moment and discreetly popped a senbon in his mouth.

"Then we'll have to be careful, hm?" Ino replied. "I'll introduce you to my team some other day. It's not fully assembled and Reno isn't back yet."

"Reno?"

Nodding, Ino walked towards the palace, "my last bodyguard. Turns out he's more useful than I thought. I'm keeping him around to help keep my back because nobody outside of my team knows anything about him."

Wincing slightly, Genma realized that 'Reno' was the guy who had been with her throughout her ordeal. He sighed and put on a half smirk for her benefit.

"Ouch," he teased. Genma put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a half hug, tucking her head under the crook of his neck.

Ino sighed.

"I missed this," Genma said, teasing her.

Blue eyes stared up at him for a moment in content. "Yeah, yeah, let's go get you back to Itachi to give him a report."

He chuckled and she blew a raspberry at him. It was almost like old times.

You better learn to be discreet
If you wanna keep it just our secret

Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, and Hatake Kakashi were officially a team. Now, at their evening dinner they did the first thing any team usually did – create a name.

"I think we should be called Sakura," the pink haired woman stated matter of fact.

Naruto snorted and waved his fork around, "please, that's lame." Kakashi nodded in agreement. He did not really care, but pretending like he did was probably beneficial, especially when Sakura hit like she did. Geez, super strength was annoying; at least she had brains.

"We could call ourselves 'Mongoose'," Sakura grumbled back. She stirred her salad around before taking another bite while eyeing Kakashi's salmon. It just looked so good...

Kakashi chuckled slightly, understanding what she meant. Naruto did not. "What the hell is that?"

"They eat snakes," Kakashi supplied, "it was a joke Naruto."

His blue eyes were still confused, "that was lame, Sakura-chan! We should be TEAM NARUTO!" Naruto stabbed his fork into his steak to emphasize his point.

Both Kakashi and Sakura rolled their eyes. Seeing this Naruto sulked, glaring at them both. "Fine." Biting the steak again he chewed thoughtfully. While he preferred ramen, he would rather not eat rabbit food, er, vegetables.

"We should be Team 1 because we're number 1" Naruto perked up a moment later.

Sakura rolled her eyes and took a sip of her water. Kakashi sighed and both deadpanned, "no."

"You guys are no fun!" Naruto wailed childishly. He waved his arms out beside him and Kakashi made a mental note not to sit next to him in the future. He'd rather not be sliced open by a knife or impaled by a stray fork.

"What's the date, Kakashi?" Sakura asked. She put her cutlery down and leaned her fore arms against the table.

"The seventh day of th – "

Naruto grinned at her, suddenly catching on, and stated loudly, "let's be Team 7!"

Kakashi shrugged as Sakura smiled back, "deal." Both Sakura and Naruto shook hands over the table. The pink-haired woman was going to like working with the blond.


AN: Not much happened. I think from here on out its going to be more Ino/Itachi oriented. Okay, maybe after the second chapter...