A/N: Sorry, I haven't been updating this story for quite a long

A/N: Sorry, I haven't been updating this story for quite a long. I just needed some time to finish my other story but now it's finished, so I guess I'll concentrate to this one.

I'm taking this nice and slow, so that I can ensure each chapter would be good for you my beloved readers! Nothing but the best for you guyz!

--

She took-off her sandals and felt the cool relaxing sand beneath her feet. It was such a nice feeling after the torturous running they just did that morning. Unfortunately, Sasuke was another notch irritable this morning, like he was pissed over something and he roused them early this dawn and had them running non-stop until they reached the shore. She silently thanked kami-sama that there was a boat heading to Torch Island because she was certain that in his current mood, he'd have them cross it with chakra infused feet.

She sighed in contentment feeling the ocean breeze blowing against her face, the feel of the cool sand under her feet, the lapsing of the ocean waves and the fresh smell of the ocean, how she wished such peace would last forever.

"SAAAAAASSSSSUUUUUKEEEE-TEEEEMMMMEEEE!!" Naruto's exasperated shout reverberated the whole Island resort and unknowingly but successfully robbed Hinata her newfound solace.

Hinata snapped her eyes open and watch helplessly as Naruto crossed his point to Sasuke, all the while attempting to land a hit on him.

"You damnable asshole! You got some nerves to kick me in the ass this morning and have me work my ass out in all that running!! HELL! You trying to kill us or something?! If you have anything against me or any of us, be a man and tell us!! Don't kill us of over exhaustion! BASTARD, BASTARD, BASTARD, BASTARD!!"

Naruto continued with the bastard chanting and stopped short when Sasuke finally stop dodging his punches and caught his fist, giving it a painful squeeze. He opened his eyes and gave a knowing glance towards Hinata for about a split second but it was enough to freeze her on her spot.

What did I do? She frantically raked her brain for what she could have possibly done to cause his current mood or if there's something she didn't do that caused this but no! She can't think of anything.

No matter how quick the side glance he spared to Hinata, Naruto noticed it. Ugh! That TEME! So, he's got love life problems and he decides to take it out on us! Kami! Grow some balls and talk it over to her! Naruto wanted to smack Sasuke right now!

"Look dobe, I have no idea what you're talking about. I got nothing against you or the others, except that you're way too stupid. Be a man? Tch. You're the one who's not being a man, I just have you jog for awhile and you're ranting like I had you run the whole world, you're such a sissy." He said eyeing stoically Naruto but behind those stoic and cold onyx eyes is the solid wish to humiliate and to put Naruto down, not like he's going to tell or admit it to anyone.

"WHY YOU LIT--" Naruto said agitated and raising his other fist with full serious attempt to land a hit to Sasuke but was cut short with Sakura holding his wrist.

"Dame yo, Naruto. There's too many civilian here, are you willing to make a clear statement that we konoha shinobis are no better than rogue ninjas and missing nins, always craving for a fight? No, right? Besides, this is such a fine day! Let's enjoy this place! There are a lot of stalls selling all neat stuffs, the ocean is ready for us to take a dip and there are a lot of tropical delicacies!!" Naruto lowered his fist, the agitated aura now gone only childish glee remains in his countenance and his grin on it's wake.

"That's right yummy foods!! I gotta try them all!" He said in excitement, eyes glowing with anticipation.

"No and no for that." Sasuke said, robbing all the happy auras on both Naruto and Sakura. "We are here for a mission, put that in your mind." As he said that Naruto and Sakura both became so gloomy. I mean GLOOMY! Hinata can't stand seeing both usually bright shinobis like this.

"Ummm…Ano… Sasuke-san… I think I agree with Naruto-kun and Sakura-san's idea." Sasuke turned to her and narrowed his eyes on her, telling her to continue. "I mean… It's win-win. If we'd have some fun around the island, we will have a better chance of finding the ume no namida. You see, we'd both got to have a good time and a good chance of finding it." When she looked-up into Sasuke's eyes it was still hard and devoid of any emotion but it seems irritated. "ANOU!! UMMM… I mean our mission isn't exactly finding that pebble, it's more like confirming whether it's for real or not, right? I just thought that--" She said in a frantic quick tone but was stopped by a scowling Sasuke whom she unknowingly came to stand right in front of her.

"Fine. Just shut it." He said placing his index finger in her lips to stop her from talking.

Her lips are soft… I wonder if… DAMN! STOP! Stupid hormones! With that thought he quickly withdrawn his finger from her lips as if he was scald by her lips and instantly turning his back to her and to the other two.

But then again, those are the same lips arguing for the sake of the dobe's fun.

"Just don't forget about the real reason we're here and stay out of trouble. That's all my order." He started walking-off but stopped as he heard the softest whisper of thanks from her, he just grunted and continued on his way.

She was knocked down to the cool sand as Sakura jumped on her, embracing her and successfully cutting her oxygen supply. "This is so great Hinata! Thank you, thank you! Now, I can have fun." She said still embracing to death the poor girl. "Sakura-san y-your welcome! But you're cutting my air!" This seemed to knock some sense back to Sakura as she released the poor girl.

Hinata gasped for precious air as Sakura helped her to her feet. "Sorry about that and please just Sakura!" Sakura said, Hinata smiled and said it was okay.

"Now off to the store!" Sakura said over enthusiastically but Hinata was puzzled. "Why to the stores Sakura?" Sakura stared back at her in disbelief and replied, "Of course! For our bathing suits!" With that she dragged the poor girl. "Naruto, check two rooms for us in Torch hotel. And don't even complain about sharing a room with Sasuke!" She hollered back to Naruto as she continued in her way to the swimsuit store.

--

"This is so great! I'm definitely wearing this! Hinata, you should find something too. You can't swim wearing your jacket here, you'd probably drown. And how can you manage pulling that off in here?! It's summer all year round here and it's 33C out there, I'm surprised you're not yet suffering from some heat stroke." She said as she skims the other swimsuits, finding something for Hinata to wear.

"It's really okay, Sakura, I really appreciate--" She was cut short as Sakura shoved something lavender in her hands. "No can do! Now try that thing on! And come on this is fire country's summer paradise!" Sakura continued as she pushed her inside the fitting room.

Inside the fitting room Hinata sighed, she eyed the clothing article that Sakura practically shoved into her hands. It was a two piece lavender swimsuit with a trimming of a lighter lavender shade. She sighed, knowing that she has no other choice but to wear it.

"You know Hinata…" Sakura's voice started from the outside as she was slipping out of her coat and she strained her ears to listen as she continues to change.

"I really love Sasuke-kun." Hinata froze and tensed inside the changing room.

Hearing no response from the girl inside the changing room Sakura continued.

"I have always loved him ever since I could remember and I will always do… Oh, I'm sorry. I've been babbling again. Go on changing, I'll just buy some sun block. By the way, I've already paid for that! You better wear it!"

Sakura…She doesn't know anything…The lavender eyed girl was deep in thought inside her head as the footfalls fade away.

She thought it was odd, but as Sakura was proclaiming her love to Sasuke she felt a strange pang inside her heart.

Gomen nasai Sakura…

--

Naruto was already in a swimming trunks/short when Hinata went out of the shop and she was walking over to him and Sakura, she noticed that Naruto was gawking at her.

"W-What?" She asked nervously as she made it to their spot.

"You got one hell of a nice body there Hina-chan! You're SOOO Ho--" Before he could finished, Sakura whacked him HARD on his head!

"BAKA! You're making her uncomfortable!" And she continued to lecture him until they notice a presence coming towards them.

Sasuke couldn't help but stare at Hinata. She's sexy, he'll give her that but he's never ever going to admit it loud. He stared at her but managed to keep his face straight. He caught her eyes and then, he saw the blush that crept up her cheeks. It was like magic but, something pink and red broke the spell. Sakura.

She latched herself to Sasuke, noticing that he hadn't took his eyes off Hinata for even one bit, not to mention he's been staring too long at her, too long for her liking. Wrapping her arms to his, she smiled up to him, "Sasuke-kun, what do you think of my swimsuit? Cute, ne? Sexy?" She only heard him grunt in response but she's not giving-up all too soon. Still clinging to him as if he's her lifeline, she continued in a whinny-cute like tone, "Sasuke-kun, let's have some fun! PLEASE!"

He jerked his arm free from her grasp, he was growing irritated with her antics. "No." he said flatly continuing, "I'm only here to get the keys to the room from dobe." He turned to Naruto and he extended his hand, motioning for Naruto to give the keys and he gave it to him. With that he began to walk away.

"Moh! Naruto no baka! Why did you gave Sasuke the key! Now, we really can't have fun!!" Sakura whined over to Naruto

"Really? WE have fun with teme? You mean YOU. Besides, it's my best option." Naruto sounded so serious, so uncharacteristically Naruto and so Sakura stopped her complaints.

Naruto gave Sakura a sideway glance saying there's something we have to talk about. Naruto then faced Hinata with his goofy smile intact, "Hey, Hina-chan there's a stall there selling fresh coconut juice can you get us some?" Hinata smiled at him and nod her head, and she was walking away from them he turned his full attention to Sakura.

"What do you think you're doing Sakura-chan?" he asked simply, straight and certainly with no humor, looking straight into her eyes.

Sakura was taken back with Naruto's seriousness but she stood her ground.

"What are you talking about?" She haughtily retorted back at him.

"Don't play dumb with me Sakura, I'm serious right now… So, I repeat what are you doing flirting and clinging to Sasuke more than usual and in front of Hinata?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." She still denied looking away from Naruto.

"Sakura… Sticking almost all time with him, feeding him and clinging to him like no tomorrow and not to mention asking him things like ,'Am I sexy'? Sakura, I'm not in any position to tell this to you and I promised not to tell but Sasuke--" He was unable to finish his sentence cause Sakura cut and continued for him.

"Is betrothed and actually engaged to Hinata. I know, I know but that won't stop me." Sakura sounded a bit dark saying that and Naruto looked at her with questioning eyes. "Don't be too shocked Naruto. Being the hokage's apprentice has its perks and, this is one of them." After hearing her Naruto has to voice his opinion on the matter at hand, "but don't you think it's wise to back-off now, Sakura? For crying out loud they're betrothed to each other!" Sakura looked at him sharply, "YES! They are betrothed but do they love each other but at the least, does Sasuke love her?! NO! Right now I can feel, see and know that there's no love but I promise Naruto, if Sasuke would feel something for her, even if it's the slightest of love… I promise, I'll back-off… So, right now just let me be…" As she finished, she looked up to Naruto with determined emerald eyes. Naruto could only sigh.

Hinata walked over to where Naruto and Sakura are, carrying two coconut drinks, they look so fresh, so fresh in fact they are in their coconut shell still only with a hatch that has straw on it. "Sorry, I could only carry two! But I can just go back to get another one, so you two can have this." She said handing Sakura and Naruto the coconut drinks. NAruto was just about to tell her not to bother herself anymore, that he's not thirsty at all but Sakura beat him on something.

"Thank you very much Hinata! But you can take Naruto with you and get another two for yourselves! I'll just take this one to Sasuke, he must be thirsty after our long journey! You… Wouldn't mind, would you?" She asked looking at the girl but most of her talk left nothing to argue.

"O-Of course! I wouldn't mind! Go ahead! I almost forgot about Sasuke-san! You're right he must be thirsty!" She said frantically, waving her hands in front of her to emphasize that she don't mind. "Naruto and I would just get another for ourselves." She dash-off to the drink's stall.

"Sakura…" He said. "I'm not doing anything Naruto, look behind you, she's waiting for you." With that she turned her back to him and towards to where Sasuke might be.

--

"Sasuke-kun?" she called out his name as she opened the door.

Walking inside she heard him, "What are you doing here? The girls room are next door." Sakura stared at the man who was lazily gazing out of the window. "I know. I'm just here to give this to you." She said handing him one of the coconut drinks and he only stared at it. She took a sip of hers, "It's really good and it has some milk on it." She tried coaxing him to drink it but no effect. "Hinata bought it." He looked back on it and tried a sip.

"Sasuke-kun, why not go out? It would be fun?"

"What's fun with frolicking in the water and getting sunburned?" He asked grumpily.

"Just try and go out, you wouldn't know what fun awaits you there…"

--

Hinata saw a child slip over in some shoreline rocks. She approached the child and she saw that his knee was bleeding, the little boy then began crying. Hinata being the gentle soul she is couldn't stand to see a crying child, she patted the boy's head and it looked-up to her and she smiled down, bending down, she allowed her hand to glow a slight green and placed it just above the cut and it healed. The little boy was amazed but nonetheless, smiled up at her. "Thank you nee-chan!" The child beamed at her. "You're welcome!" With that the child run-off to the water again.

She walked towards the water to where Naruto was! Was because he submerged under the water! She hurried towards him and he emerged from the water gaping like a fish for air. He noticed Hinata with a worried expression, "Oi Hinata! I'm okay don't worry! It seems like this water doesn't allow us to walk over it." "Huh? What do you mean Naruto-kun?" "You see, no matter how hard I try to focus and balance my chakra, I still end-up plummeting down." Hinata recalled something about the water surrounding Torch Island, she remembered once, reading a book about it that it doesn't allow anyone to walk over it. "Oh, I remember reading something like it before, I never knew it was for real though. Demo, I read that it doesn't only allow any chakra wielder to walk over it but it allows you when submerged to coat yourself with chakra that enables you to breathe for awhile." Naruto looked at her with questioning eyes, "But coating yourself with chakra will drain you!!" "I know, that's why I said for awhile Naruto-kun."

--

Naruto and Hinata played for awhile in the water then checked the booths there and what they sell but the air changed. The subtle breeze whipped up becoming chilly and strong, promising something of destructible force. A storm is coming in lightning speed.

"Hinata-chan, I think we should go back to the hotel now. It's not safe to be out with a storm, especially when we're this near to the water." Naruto said looking on the fast approaching dark clouds. It was lightning and thundering now.

"You're right Naruto-kun." She agreed feeling the strong wind pushing against her.

They were almost near the hotel when they hear a high pitched scream. It was coming from the shore, Hinata can't resist the sound of someone in distress and thinking she's a shinobi and most people here are civilian the idea that she could help came into her mind. She turned around and rushed back to the shore line. In addition, to the strong opposing winds, it's raining heavily now.

"HINATA?! STOP! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" Naruto screamed right at Hinata as she was rushing back to the shore line. "Somebody needs help Naruto-kun!"

As she reached the shore line, she saw how violent the waves has become and amidst those violent lapping of the sea, she could see a child out in the middle! Straining her eyes, she saw that it was that child from earlier. Panicked overwhelmed her and as she was about to go into the water, Naruto held on her wrist and he was shaking his head, "It's too dangerous Hinata! This water is no ordinary sea!" She smiled at him and he was taken back by that causing his hold to loosen and she used that opportunity, and in an instant she was far from him into the dangerous violent sea.

"HINATA!!" He screamed frantically. "A rope?! A ROPE! I gotta find one!" he frantically scurried to find a rope. "Naruto?!" Sakura screamed at him. "What the hell are you still doing here?! It's dangerous here!" She screamed at him as he reached her. "I know! But Hinata!! She's danger!!" "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" "SHE WENT TO THE SEA!! TO SAVE SOME KID!!" As he finished explaining he saw some strong looking rope and he hurried to the shore with Sakura right on his heel. They saw that Hinata already got the kid and was fighting against the waves to get back to the shore. Naruto looked at Sakura and she nod her head. They concentrated their chakra in the rope that made it stronger and they threw it to the water and controlled it towards Hinata.

Hinata was bobbing in and out of the water, all the while keeping the child with all her might above the water so he could breathe, she can careless about herself. Problem is the waves are too strong for her, she seriously needs help right now or else, all will be in vain. She saw a rope glowing with infused chakra heading towards her and she hold on to it tight but she was slipping. Her brain is getting fuzzy, all that's left in her brain is to save the child and without thinking she focused all her chakra and coats the child with it, she positioned the child's hand on the rope and made the child's grip firmer by concentrating her chakra on it. Without sufficient chakra left in her, her hand slipped-off the rope. She gave a smile, knowing she did the right thing, she don't have enough chakra to coat both of them, better to save one life than having both lost…

"GODDAMNED IT! HINATA!! NO!!" Naruto screamed in the shore, seeing the choice Hinata had made and a lot more profanity escaped from his lips. Sakura had a horrified expression in her face and unshed tears brimming her eyes.

The child made it safe in the shore, seeing that Hinata closed her eyes, surrendering to her obvious fate. No more strength, not enough air in her lungs, no more chakra and violent waves drowning her, well it seems like goodbye life for her now.

"Onna no baka." Was all that Naruto and Sakura heard before something very fast and a blur of something passed them. "Sasuke?" Naruto said to no one in particular as he saw another figure effectively swimming his way to Hinata, fighting the violent big waves like they're nothing at all.

She could feel herself submerging slowly in the water, oh yes, she could feel the water filling her lungs. She was giving-up all hope when suddenly she felt strong arms wrapped around her waist, they were strong arms but they were very gentle on her as she felt herself being carried away, somehow she knew it was towards safety.

She felt it when she was placed in the wet sand, she felt someone breathing very near her face. Slowly but surely she opened her eyes. Before her eyes, she saw a very wet Sasuke.

Sasuke-san? Saved me? But then she remembered about the little boy.

She bolt-up very careful not to brush her face with Sasuke as she does so. "Is the child safe? Is he safe?!" She asked frantically. "Hai. The child is fine Hinata, we instructed the parents to bring him to the resort's hospital--" Sakura couldn't finish his sentence when she saw how deadly Sasuke looks like.

"What were you thinking?" Sasuke drawled dangerously slow and seriously dark.

"Huh? What do you mean Sasuke-s—"

"YOU STUPID WOMAN! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" He exploded and Hinata cringed and she bit her lower lip.

"DO YOU THINK A WEAKLING LIKE YOU COULD SAVE ANOTHER LIFE?! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD RIGHT NOW IF I DIDN'T COME FOR YOU!! BEFORE YOU GO MINDING OVER SOMEBODY ELSE'S NECK THINK ABOUT YOURSELF! A WEAKLING SUCH AS YOU SHOULD RUN FOR SAFETY IN THE FIRST SIGN OF DANGER!!" He screamed at her beating the roaring thunder in intensity of his voice.

Her eyes watered, she's feeling so upset and low right now. All she wants to do is to get away from here. Away from his eyes. Away from his angry criticizing eyes.

"I'm--I'm so sorry!!" With that tears rolled down her cheeks and she run-off.

"Sasuke-kun, I think that was too much…" Sakura said worriedly.

"DAMN NO! TEME! That was totally uncalled for!!"

"Che. What would you know dobe?" He said, not ripping his eyes off the direction Hinata had run-off to.

--

A/N: LISTEN! I'm taking this nice and slowly BUT if there's no review to this, I'd make it much more slower than needed and I guarantee it. Mwahhahaha. I'm so mean. Well, I have always been polite in asking for review but it was too much for you, wasn't it!

Anyway, I found out that not updating for quite a long time grants me more review. So will you review nicely or should I wait for a long time again? Your call.

Hooray! My longest chapter ever!

Translations: 'Onna no baka' is either 'stupid woman' or 'idiotic woman', well, it's the same. If you have any question about some jappy terms in the story, you can write them in your review.

BYE!