Diclaimer: I don't own anything. Nope, nothing at all.

Summary: She sighed. "You're not the devil, Naruto." He glanced at her, grinning. "He's just a very close relative."

Pairing: NaruHina.

Warning: Possible Sexual Themes.

Notes: Sorry for the wait, guys. My sorta-beta is on vacation and she's usually the one who keeps me in line. Ha. Enjoy.

-3 Months Later-

She stared at the doctor in silence. There came no reaction from the three women in the room, and it was unclear if there was going to be any at all.

The man shifted uncomfortably and readjusted his glasses. "I recommend none of you come near him, as it is very easily spread."

Still, no reaction.

"If you must go inside, for whatever reason, leave all the windows open."

"He's dying?"

The aging man nodded.

"Is there a-any-,"she stopped as the man shook his head slowly. Sadness engulfed her. "I'm sorry…excuse me."

Aiko lifted her skirts and hurried out of the room, clearly bothered.

Hinata sighed. "I a-apologize on behalf of my m-mother…"

"Really, there's no need to. This has become regular as of late…the virus is affecting everyone, and it's very slim that the person may have a chance of recovering. I suggest all of you be very careful around those ill."

The siblings nodded and stood as they escorted the doctor to the door. "Thank you for coming."

After the maids had taken him to his carriage, they went to the parlor and sat down. Hinata took the tea kettle and arranged herself around to pour some for her sister. "I'm sorry Hanabi…but somehow…I cannot be saddened."

Hanabi made a face. "Neither can I. The bastard had it coming for him somehow. It was probably all those trips to the gentlemen's club."

Hinata smiled. "Remember…it's a 'casino.' There are no 'women' there."

Her sister scoffed, "Of course not! Just wenches! I swear…mother's just being dramatic. She's just as relieved as we are."

Hinata had thought so too, but she'd forgotten the though the moment she saw her mothers face. She could not have faked that terrible sadness that went into her eyes. "I don't know Hanabi…I just-,'

"I don't think she loves him, Hinata. It's always been about the money, and you know it."

"Yes, but-,'

"Not a chance."

Hinata sighed. "I just think that maybe this time she actually is hurting. It doesn't even have to mean she loves him…it could be just a habit…"

No one said anything for what seemed an eternity, until Hanabi stood. "Regardless of habit or not, I hope he rots in hell where he belongs."

It hurt Hinata to know she was not far behind her in that hope.

Her father's condition did not improve. The days passed without any sign of a recovery, and Hinata's mother sank deeper and deeper into her sad state.

The house, even with it's enormous size, felt as if it would suffocate both sisters. It came as a big relief to both Hinata and Hanabi when they were invited to an end-of-season celebration.

It hurt their mother to see them try to leave so quickly, but Hinata knew that Aiko didn't need to know a reason for the sudden departure. Besides, no one else knew of the sickness inflicting their father. There would be no gossip.

They rode by carriage for 2 days, and the trip was tiresome. Hinata was enjoying the scenery, but only so many beautiful shrubs could entertain a girl. Hanabi had resorted to just sleeping the whole way there, and she was not a big help in entertaining the eldest sibling.

It seemed forever before they arrived at the large manor, and they were relieved to see there weren't many guests arriving yet. Hinata desperately needed privacy.

After greeting the hosts and being shown their rooms, Hinata rang the bell for the maids to prepare a bath.

After they had come and helped her undress, she lay in the steaming water. She could not help but think of what her mother had said before they had left the manor.

"Hinata," Her mothers voice made her turn around slowly, and she spread her palms over her dress skirts nervously, "I have a question for you and you must not lie to me."

She nodded at Aiko, waiting for her to speak.

"Do you love your father?"

This took Hinata by surprise, and she felt a pang of sympathy overcome her. Her mother seemed so much more human, as she stood before her. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the always up-kept hair now lay at her shoulders.

"There were moments where I thought I did…but sometimes I cannot help but think…" She trailed off. She didn't feel she needed to continue. Her mother's eyes softened as Hinata turned her head slightly to the side. "I'm sorry, mama."

Her mother nodded, and left the room.

They were never close. Her mother was never involved in her life, and Hinata never had a chance to develop a maternal bond with anyone. Her nanny's were harsh with her, and they disciplined her since birth.

Hinata knew she'd never do that to her own children. She would be attentive, and she would raise them her own. No child of hers would be subject to the harsh life she was raised in.

Hinata would make sure of it.

After the hosts called everyone in for dinner, the party had begun. The host, Lady and Lord Shire were famous for their lavish parties.

Hinata had been seated next to her sister and Lady Uchiha. Hinata was now engaged, and it would not have been proper for her to have been placed near any un-married men. She was thankful to have been seated close to Sakura. She was one of the only people who were ever witness to the real Hinata. She trusted her with her life.

It was without a doubt that it was a well planned table, for Hinata and Sakura whispered and giggled through the whole dinner.

",-and so when the baby kicked he made such a scene that I thought it had kicked at him! Surely, I wouldn't have blamed the poor girl. She's being bothered and she hasn't even been born yet."

They both grinned and Hinata felt her spirits returning. "Surely, he must be elated…of course…not that you'd notice."

Sakura laughed. Too loudly it seemed, for some heads turned in their direction. "Sasuke has never been good with his emotions. It's very funny for me to see otherwise, when he lets down his guard."

"When is he arriving at the manor?"

Sakura shrugged, her hand on her bulging belly. She could not help but to trace small circles on her stomach and she sighed. "It really depends on when he can come to an agreement with Na- Lord Uzumaki. They can't seem to decide on a location for the company, and so it'll be until then."

Hinata nodded. "I hope they aren't too stubborn."

"Ha! That's exactly what both their names should be. Honestly, sometimes it's infuriating." She look around and sighed when she saw no one stood. "Honestly, when are we going to go outside? We finished eating ages ago."

"It seems like it'll be soon."

"I sincerely hope so, my friend. I hope so."

-

-

-

Both women picked up their skirts as they went down the steps to visit the garden. As they ascended one side of the large staircase, Sakura laughed. "It seems like Ino's gotten herself a new admirer." Catching Hinata's confused expression, Sakura shook her head. "She's been searching for a husband. This is her last season. If she doesn't find one here, she's afraid she'll be a spinster."

Hinata laughed. "How silly. She's younger than both of us, Sakura." Her amusement only increased when Sakura smiled sheepishly, "Yeah well…tell her that. She thinks it's some sort of law you have to marry before you turn 20."

Hinata put her fan to her forehead in a dramatic gesture, "I must be hopeless then. I am already 21! Dear me…what ever will I do…?"

Sakura laughed and they walked around a large fountain. "You're ancient, Hinata. Really, how utterly old."

Hinata hit her fan agaisn't Sakura's shoulder, "Like you're one to talk, Miss-I'm-almost- 26."

"Oh, don't make it seem such a boring age. Sasuke already acts like a grandfather as it is."

"Oh yes, what an old fart."

Sakura sent her an odd glance, "What is that?"

"Kiba taught me it. He says that's what you call old people."

"That's brilliant! Fart. Old fart. How wonderful of a term!"

"We are very unladylike." It did not help when they both erupted into giggles. "Oh…who gives a flying fart."

"Hinata!" She did not stop laughing, and so some of the guests gave them odd looks as they passed alongside them.

It was not long before someone called Sakura to the entrance hall to greet her husband. Hinata felt tired, and so she walked to her room after she said all of her goodbyes.

The evening she spent with Sakura was one that she enjoyed tremendously. She never doubted why Sakura made her feel so comfortable, and she longed to be that comfortable around strangers.

It would have been such a comfort for all the gossip about her stuttering to stop. Some of the things that Hinata had overheard in the past were not very nice things, and she always felt shameful after.

She sighed as she entered her room, and she sat on the bed. A maid came into the room to offer tea and she nodded.

It was only after a cup of tea that she felt truly relaxed. It was only a couple of moments before Hinata would have fallen asleep.

It came as a very big surprise however when a sudden knock on the door startled her, and her heart raced when in came a male figure.

She was startled, and she stared at him, too stunned to say anything.

Naruto looked rugged in his attire, clearly worn out from his trip. He seemed flustered somehow, and it made Hinata want to go to him and comfort him.

His blue eyes looked through her own, and he smiled. "Hello, milady…I've…come with an offer."

Oh, suspense. Please review.

Until Next Time,

Darkofthenight.