A/N: Hello, all I have to say before this chapter begins is, if you don't think Deidara looks like Naruto, I do. Oh and for all you wondering why she didn't recognize Sasori as Gaara. She will soon. Oh and sorry for any spoilers and if you haven't read the last chapter this really won't make sense!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 15

Hinata walked behind Deidara her fingers pushing together nervously. In her mind it was still Naruto. His hand swung at his side inviting her to grasp his fingers. Swallowing her pride and shame she slowly reached her hand to touch his, but as soon as her fingers grazed his, he would jerk his hand backwards and laugh awkwardly. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before she tripped over a root and began to fall. Her eyes snapped open when she felt something wet move across her wrists. Deidara released her after making sure she was stable.

"Lets keep moving un," Deidara said and began walking again.

Hinata's face was bright red, her embarrassment nearly making her cry. Naruto wasn't like she had remembered. He was no longer as giddy and, he barely seemed to remember her at all and it was starting to hurt. She knew it wasn't always like this; there was a time not to long ago when she had been happy and now she was desperate to find that happy place. Finally after racking her brain for a few minutes, some memories came back to her. Her and Neji going to the convenient store and her picking up the stuffed fox named Ramen. Hinata smiled slightly at the memory, it was as if she was in a fairytale that day, but another memory surfaced that turned her happy ending into a nightmare. Naruto and Sakura, together, kissing. Tears sprang to her eyes and she stared horrified at 'Naruto's' back.

'He knows,' she thought frantically. 'He knows I saw him and Sakura kiss and he knows how much I like him. He doesn't want me to feel bad so he is unknowingly treating me as if I'm a stranger he just met.'

Her feet and emotions led her astray from the path they were following and the blonde didn't seem to notice. But a quiet redhead that stood not to far behind did and followed her into the denser trees.

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Shino led the way, the others following obediently, all of their thoughts not on the current place or time.

'I remember when I first met Hinata; she had caught Akamaru who ran to her for no reason. As soon as I saw her I recognized her as a member of that snobby Byakugan clan, I was about to give her a piece of my mind to when she ran up to me to return Akamaru with a soft smile and a soft goodbye.' Kiba recalled his eyes drifting towards his white dog.

'I have always been considered a freak; having bugs live inside you isn't very natural for most ninja's. But two days after we became teammates one of my Kekai bugs crawled through a hole in my face and she was looking at me and talking. When she saw the bug I was waiting for the scream, instead I felt a soft tap on my shoulder and she was holding the Kekai on her finger, asking me about it's unique abilities.' Shino thought to himself as a butterfly drifted lazily over a flower.

'We were so young when we first met I was four and she had barely reached the age of three. When I met her I thought she was adorable, I wanted to play with her like she was my own personal toy. Even though she was trained to recognize the cursed seal as a sign of her superiority she never once treated me different. The day after I got the seal it was itching and I couldn't quite reach the right spot; the frustration drove me to tears as I scratched meaninglessly at my forehead. Hinata had just brushed her teeth and when she rushed over to me the smell of mint slowed my tears. She had asked me if it hurt, I nodded and she stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed my forehead. The mint extract from the toothpaste soothing the itching and burning area.' Neji's mind replayed as a bird flew across his enhanced vision.

'It was different when she came. Not in a bad way but good way.' Gaara's thoughts began to align. 'She never once treated me with fear because of Shukaku but fear because of who she is. Her personality is contagious even I sometimes find myself acting more kind then necessary. Staying with her has never been a burden and she never bores me. Her dream to get stronger has gone from a dream to reality. Whoever wanted her to change was insane, Hinata is almost perfect. The kindness and gentleness she has reminds me of a mother and her children, but she also a strong enough force to be reckoned with, Besides Temari has never been so happy and neither have I.'

"Hello gentleman," a rich voice said from behind them.

They all stopped and turned to see a sound ninja standing there in a ready position. His hands straying close to his weapon's belt.

"You know you should pay more attention to these things," a girl sound ninja replied.

"What do you propose we do now?" Kiba asked the group as they backed up to form a tight circle as to avoid being attacked from behind.

"I don't know, Neji-san?" Shino asked

"Nothing," Neji said, hands sliding into the Hyuuga fighting style. "Kazekage-sama?"

Gaara stayed silent as his eyes grew blood shot, his sand swirling dangerously around them.

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The sound ninja fell to her knees as Itachi grasped her wrist.

"It was futile from the beginning and you knew that, so why?' Itachi asked monotonously.

"You have what Orochimaru-sama wants, and Sasuke-kun wants you dead, I won't let him down so easily." The girl replied.

Naruto, Temari, and Kankurou stayed hidden in the trees, praying that Itachi was to distracted to notice. All of them were itching to interrogate the Akatsuki member especially Naruto. In fact he would have jumped down if Temari hadn't threatened to castrate him if they survived. Temari felt her blood pressure rise, if Hinata wasn't with the sound ninja that meant she was with the Akatsuki, which was bad.

Itachi narrowed his eyes at the mention of his younger brothers name and released the sound ninja. The girl sprang to her feet ready to run when she felt something grasp her ankles.

"I never said I would let you go," Itachi continued his cloak shifting slightly.

Naruto gritted his teeth as he saw the sound ninja fall to the ground shaking. The girl looked at her arms and she smacked at it, she did it again but she soon did it again and over and over until she started screaming. Her frustration was obvious and finally she couldn't take it anymore. She pulled out a kunai from her pouch and brought it to her arm. Itachi turned and walked away just as the girl began to skin her self-alive.

Temari closed her eyes tight as the girls piercing shrieks tormented her mind. When the screaming died down all three of the ninja approached the bloodied remains of the sound ninja.

"Wow, what a bad way to go," Kankurou said tapping what appeared to be a part of her leg.

The lump twitched slightly making all three ninjas jump back in alarm.

"S-s-s-she's alive!?" Naruto cried.

"Oh my god!" Temari said, letting a few tears escape.

"That's beyond disturbing man, way beyond disturbing!" Kankurou mumbled.

Temari knelt beside the girl and picked through some of the bloody mess, her humane side out weighing her fear and disgust. The girls bloodied face stared up at Temari her sadistic grin never faltering.

"I'm so sorry…" Temari whispered.

"Why?" the ninja asked her smile growing wider. "I finally got the bugs off."

Horrible maniacal laughter escaped the girl's mouth but died as quick as it came, blood coming to the surface instead. Temari stood and wiped her hands on her clothes over and over the laughter of the dead making her sick.

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Hinata's heart was beating erratically as she continued to stumble through the forest as the tears spilled down her cheeks. Naruto didn't love her, nobody loved her, why was she even here. Her sandal slid into a puddle and she shrieked, she shook her leg viciously but the mud stayed. She sniffled and continue to run but tripped on a log dislocating her ankle and making her fall on her face. And for a moment she thought of not getting up, and she would have stayed there if only it hadn't started to rain. She got on her knees and tried to stand but her ankle throbbed and she resided to crawling. Finally she pulled herself into a hole in a tree and sat there crying.

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"We're almost there un," Deidara said turning back to look at their Hyuuga captive.

There was nothing there and Deidara felt slight panic, and he called for Sasori this time.

"Sasori-danna? Do you have the Hyuuga girl un?" Deidara asked.

Again there was no answer and Deidara sighed in exasperation, and began to retrace his steps.

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Sasori followed the Hyuuga at a safe distance watching her visible mood swings. He grimaced when he saw her slide into what was supposed to be a puddle of mud. And he winced when she sprained her ankle. Curiously he stood by and watched as she finally stopped trying to run and dragged herself to a hole in the tree and continued to cry. Being careful he slid from his hiding space and walked over to the hole.

Shifting his cloak slightly he kneeled in front of the sobbing girl and slowly touched her hand making her withdraw and gape at the bored looking red head. Memories ran through Hinata's head of another unnamed red head and Hinata couldn't help but feel slightly reassured.

"Are you okay?" Sasori asked with a monotone.

Hinata only nodded, still trying to put the pieces together, but also feeling relieved that someone had understood.

"I can carry you if you'd like" he continued his hand stroking her ankle and making her flinch.

More tears spilled from her eyes and she hid her face once again. The slight rustle of Hinata shifting drew the puppets interest. He watched as she sobbed harder and harder with each passing second.

"Are you still upset about Deid…uh I mean Naruto?" Sasori asked trying to discover the problem.

Opal eyes stared at him through pale fingers as she timidly nodded her head making Sasori smile slightly at her shyness.

"Don't mind him he's a baka," Sasori said grasping her hand.

That's when it all came back to her, a red head with aqua marine eyes.

"Arigotou, Gaara-sama," Hinata whispered, letting one last tear escape.

Sasori was taken slightly aback but adapted quickly and nodded. He then signaled her to come follow him.

"I don't think I can," Hinata said embarrassed. "I kind of sprained my ankle."

"Well get on my back then Hinata-san," Sasori replied turning his back to her.

"I couldn't possibly…" Hinata said nervously before she felt him grab her legs.

"There is no time, Hinata-san we are already behind schedule," Sasori said jumping off into the trees.

They finally saw Deidara and they slowly came to a stop, the blonde stood in front of them an eyebrow raised. Sasori shook his head as if to say he would explain later and they continued to walk in a comfortable silence. When night began to fall they stopped in a clearing to set up camp. Sasori placed Hinata next to the fire while him and Deidara looked for water.

"What's that about un?' Deidara asked as they walked through the forest.

"What?" Sasori asked, stopping to snap a branch of a tree.

"You and the Hyuuga getting all comfortable un," Deidara tried to ask as inconspicuously as possible.

"Why do you care?" Sasori asked, sensing the blondes true intention.

"No reason, just wondering un," Deidara said, silently fuming that his trick didn't work.

"Really, because from my perspective you're jealous," Sasori said grinning.

"Jealous! Jealous of what un!" Deidara said defensively.

"Oh just that she came running to me after you rejected her," Sasori said, finally stopping at a river.

"Number one un I didn't reject her, two un you can have her," Deidara said bitterly examining the mouths in his palms.

"Well thank you, I mean a cute under aged girl all alone with two criminals, that situation is just to good not to take advantage of, besides I don't think you even have the charm to do it," Sasori said turning to his partner and smiling.

"Is that a challenge danna, un?" Deidara asked, finally understanding the game that Sasori wanted to play.

"I don't know, what do you think?" Sasori asked innocently.

"I think we have a deal un," Deidara smirked.

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Hinata was getting nervous, the shadows played tricks on her and memories of the horrible experience with Itachi Uchiha hadn't helped her fear of the dark. She shut her eyes and tried to go to sleep but every time she closed her eyes memories of the horror of Tsukiyomi came back to her. A rustle alerted her and she grabbed a kunai although she knew it wouldn't help.

"Hinata-chan we have dinner un!" Deidara cried as he burst into the clearing almost giving the poor girl a heart attack.

"O-oh Naruto-kun I thought you were the enemy," Hinata said smiling weakly.

"Hinata-san grab on," Sasori said suddenly kneeling in front of her.

"Ano Gaara-sama I…" Hinata began her face turning slightly scarlet.

"If you don't want him to do it I'll do it un!" Deidara said happily, not waiting for her reply and instead picking her up bridal style.

Deidara used all his will power to keep his tongues from licking the bright red girl as he put her near the new fire that held the now cooking food. Sasori glared at Deidara but sat down next Hinata anyway. Deidara also plopped down next to Hinata and engaged her in a very animated conversation about something pointless Sasori didn't doubt. He glanced over the food and knew it was done but got an idea, which might win him points. Carefully he picked up the food staying as far from the fire as possible and held it to the now stunned girls lips.

"Try some, and tell me if it's done Hinata-san," Sasori said.

Hinata began to open her mouth face getting redder as his hand approached. 'What a dirty trick danna' Deidara thought before also coming up with an idea. Just as she was about to put the food in her mouth Deidara snatched the food and devoured it, regretting it as soon as he was done because the food was still hot. His eyes began to tear but swallowed with a grin.

"It's done un!" he said.

"Oh Naruto-kun that was hot!" Hinata chastised as Sasori glowered at Deidara.

After a silent diner where Deidara won most of the attention grabbing battles Hinata yawned like a baby and rubbed her eyes.

"I'm sleepy I think I'll go to bed now," Hinata mumbled.

"Okay night Hinata-chan!" Deidara cried, while Sasori just nodded as the girl limped over to a spot.

An hour had passed and still Hinata hadn't fallen asleep and both Akatsuki knew it. But it was driving poor Deidara insane. Every few seconds he would glance over at the Hyuuga girl with his only visible eye, in turn making Sasori annoyed.

"Is there something bothering you?" Sasori asked loudly making Deidara jump.

"Well un, Hinata-chan isn't asleep yet and it's worrying me," Deidara said sheepishly.

Sasori glanced back to where the Hyuuga girl was supposed to be sleeping, only to see her frail body shaking as she sobbed in silence.

"Hinata-san we know you are awake, you can come back over to us if you would like," Sasori said patting the space next to him.

Hinata stood and hobbled over to the two older ninja, her eyes watched the flames as they all sat in silence. Eventually Hinata's head fell to the side and she was consumed by sleep.

"Thank God un, I thought she'd never go to sleep," Deidara said stretching out.

"Well Itachi did do a job on her, its only understandable," Sasori replied poking the fire.

They heard a sob from the girl in between them and both Akatsuki members glanced behind them only to find her sobbing in her sleep.

"Poor kid un," Deidara said.

Without a word Sasori shook Hinata awake gently. Her opal eyes snapped open and her hands flew to her face to hide in shame.

"You were having a nightmare," Sasori said.

Hinata once again bowed her head in shame; she couldn't bear to look at the man she thought was Gaara.

"Ne, don't worry Hinata-chan un," Deidara said sliding over to her. "You can lay on me and maybe you might not have such terrible dreams."

Hinata turned bright red and shook her head viciously; the thought of sleeping on Naruto was simply well unthinkable!

"You think I have cooties or something un? That hurts a lot Hinata-chan," Deidara said sadly.

"No that's not it," Hinata mumbled.

"Then what's the problem un?" Deidara asked.

"I just…," Hinata began, before her head was pulled onto Deidara's chest and held there.

"Just calm down un and got to sleep," Deidara said smirking at Sasori from over Hinata's head.

But Hinata pulled away her face even redder then before and more tears streamed down her face.

"Please don't," She whispered.

"Why not un?" Deidara asked, quiet shocked from the sudden outburst.

"It will only hurt that much more when you go back to Sakura," Hinata cried.

"I don't know what you mean un," Deidara said thoroughly confused.

"I saw you kissing Sakura, I was hiding in the bushes I came to tell you that I loved you and I saw it," Hinata continued, as she got to her feet and was about to run away.

Sasori's quick reflexes didn't fail him and he grabbed her wrist.

"He's a baka ignore him," Sasori said.

"Demo," Hinata sniffed.

"No buts," Sasori said pulling Hinata back down onto his lap.

Her face turned bright red, as a baffled Deidara stared at the two. Sasori shrugged off his cloak and wrapped it around the still shaking Hyuuga.

"Now be quiet and go to sleep." Sasori said.

Hinata slowly nodded and fell asleep, making the blonde gape and then glare at the red head. After about fifteen minutes Sasori looked up and smiled.

"Alright where's my money?" he said.

Deidara grudgingly reached into the unknown crevices of his cloak and pulled out a small bag of money and chucked the bag at his superior's head.

"That was my food money for a week danna," Deidara whined.

"Well you shouldn't have bet it then," Sasori said, shifting Hinata slightly.

The rest of the night was filled with quiet conversations and as soon as the sun began to rise Hinata was shaken awake and they were on there way again. The trees became denser and Hinata realized they were walking near a mountain. Her eyes drank in the grey stone, when she suddenly noticed that Deidara stopped.

"What's wrong Naruto-kun?" she asked.

"We are being followed un," Deidara announced. "Should I go danna?"

"Yes, make sure they don't get any closer," Sasori said grabbing Hinata's wrist and picking up the speed.

The trees flew by now and Hinata almost vomited at the flashing blurs of color. The sudden stop made her lurch forward and crash into Sasori's back.

"Damn you Deidara you can never get all of them can you," Sasori mumbled as he made sure to catch all of his enemies.

"What's going on Gaara-sama?" Hinata asked.

Without a word Sasori grabbed her and held her against his chest protectively making her blush. Suddenly she felt her hair being yanked back hard, and pain shooting through her face. Blood dripped from her chin, and her eyes focused on the gleaming Katana stuck through Sasori.

A/N: I know I know not updated as fast as I said I would but I'm a freshman with evil teachers! But still gomen! If this chapter confused you let me know if you didn't like it let me know. Please maybe some criticism okay? Oh and maybe a little help. If you haven't noticed this is the eve of my very first big battle and I need some advice on it! Please review!