Hinata couldn't remember much of what happened after that day.

Only that, after the gun went off, she screamed, and a stream of red blood flowed from his head to her uniform. And that, despite being hit there, he still moved to get her away from him and pushed her to the ground as he fell, dead.

And, as the ambulance and police took her back home, she realized one absolutely true fact.

She was alone.

-:-

The next time she actually tuned back into her life was on her wedding day. Unfortunately, her daydreams weren't enough to make Deidara the one to stand before her. Itachi smiled with the smallest hint of evil. He mouthed the words - or did he say them? - "I do," and the priest turned to her.

"And do you, Hinata Hyuga, take Itachi Uchiha to be your husband..."

No. Of course she didn't. She never would, but she had no choice now.

"I do." She said, somehow. Itachi nodded approvingly at her, and she held a look of indifference.

"You may kiss the bride." the priest said.

Hinata closed her eyes tightly as Itachi leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. It didn't last long, since she was so unresponsive.

There was cheering, and Hinata felt Itachi tug at her arm to walk back down the aisle.

-:-

They were at the top of the Ferris Wheel, the lights of the park sparkling up at them. Across from her, Deidara sat, looking at her instead of admiring the vview.

"You're so beautiful, Hinata." he said softly, reaching over to hold her hand. She gladly took it, a smile on her face. "I love you." he leaned over to kiss her, and she gladly leaned into it.

"Hinata..."

"Hinata."

"Hinata!"

Hinata jumped in bed, startled. Itachi stood in front of her, tightening his tie.

"Wake up, love. It's time for..." she tuned him out and sat up, combing a hand through her hair. She tried recollecting her life before that moment. She was 23 now, working at a small bookstore, and - did she still hate her husband? She was pretty sure, but not exactly at the same time. Her husband, Itachi, had quit being a teacher soon after they got married and has since then become a very successful businessman. Her friends all led their own lives, most of them moving out of town. They kept in touch - sometimes. Her best friend, Hidan, had been shot and killed, and her lover, Deidara, was nowhere to be seen.

Hinata walked to the small building on the corner of her street, greeting her employer and her co-workers. She liked to read the books there - they were her only escape from her life, other than her constant daydreaming. She was finishing a teen fiction book, which only made sense, since she was still considerably young.

It was another boring day. Not a lot of people came to the shop, since society was more into the Internet and technology. But six hours away from home was six hours away from home.

-:-

Deidara and Sasori were now old enough to not lie about their ages. Sasori was 23, and Deidara 24. Sasori was a businessman, and Deidara developed his art skills to become a very famous painter and sculptor. They still lived together, even though each had enough money to live apart. They were very successful, but their lives had become terribly permanent in their town, and it was very difficult to even think of going back to Konoha.

Sasori's success story, ironically, was thanks to that accident with the computer from when they were teenagers. The lost data, if it weren't lost in the first place, would have been hacked by a rivaling company. If they had gotten to the files, the company would have been shut down for good.

Deidara, on all of his days off, worked on his art. One day, he decided to paint outside, since it was a beautiful day. Be it fate or coincidence, a famous art dealer walked by the yard and noticed him.

However, no matter how much success came their way, and how much wealth, Deidara felt empty without Hinata by his side.

-:-

Itachi sat alone in his office.

Bored, he pulled out a drawer and took out the pistol he shot so long ago.

His fingers danced lightly over it, silently reliving the thrill of the moment.

Hinata screamed.

"Itachi, put the gun away! You're scaring her!" Hidan shouted, pushing Hinata down on the couch. He didn't know that the target was him. "Shooting someone won't solve anything!" Itachi smiled evilly, the gun poised and aimed at Hidan. "Yes, it will."

He pulled the trigger.

Hinata screamed again, unable to wipe the blood that splattered on her cheek.

"Fuck... you." Hidan fell onto the couch. Hinata moved out of the way, horrified.

Oh, the way the bullet pierced his skull. He could practically hear his brains explode.

Itachi walked over to Hidan's body, admiring his work. "Not bad for the first time, right, Hinata?" He looked over at her, smiling. She stared at him in horror, tears streaming down her face.

"You killed him." She whispered after a minute.

"All for you, my love."

Itachi smiled broadly. Where was his love right now? Did she have work? No matter. He pressed a button on his phone.

"Yes, Itachi?" His secretary answered.

"Bring my wife to my office." he ordered softly, "While I'm still giddy."

"Right away, sir."

After about 10 minutes, Hinata stood before him, her hands tightly held together. This was the first time he pulled her out of work to see him.

He stood up, an eerie smile on his face. He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She held back a gasp; in one of his hands he held his gun.

"Do you remember this, my love?" Hesitantly, she nodded. "I saved your life with this tool. That fateful day, five years ago." Or ruined it. She thought bitterly, biting her lip. "That disgusting man disappeared from your life. You don't have to worry anymore." He held her tighter as she began to struggle against him. "I know, It makes me excited as well. In fact..." Hinata gasped when she felt his tongue caress her cheek. "I'm very excited." His hand slid under her shirt, and she continued to squirm under him. "N-No... I-I-Itachi..." she whispered too softly for him to hear. Anger and hate began to bubble inside of her, her hands forming into fists. "Hmm?" he purred against her newly exposed neck.

"No!" she shouted, pushing him away with her elbow. He grunted, and Hinata hurried out of the room. "I'll see you at home, Itachi." She said, storming out the door. This was the first time she ever stood up to him.

--

Hinata walked back to the bookstore. She briefly wondered how Itachi looked before she left. Was he angry?

When she stepped in through the door, she hurried behind the counter when she saw a customer.

"S-Sorry. I had something to do and..."

"No problem."

Hinata stopped what she was doing. That voice... It couldn't possibly...

She looked up. The man was wearing a hat, but the silver hair was almost unmistakable.

"Hidan...sensei...?" she whispered. The man looked at her, puzzled. "Um?" he looked away, feeling awkward. "Um... Hidan - at least, the one I'm talking about - was my uncle. I'm Kevin." Kevin tipped his hat to her. Hinata looked at him. "How old are you, Kevin?" she asked. "Oh, I guess I'm 17. I could be younger. Or older. I stopped keeping track at 10." he shrugged. "Why? How old do I look?" The resemblance to Hidan was almost remarkable. "I suppose you're 17," she began. "But you have a mature look that makes you look 18. Does that satisfy you?" She asked, laughing a bit. "Only if you are, missie." He clicked his tongue and winked.

When he paid for his books and left, Hinata felt like crying. Uncle or not, Kevin reminded her too much of her fallen friend.

--

The walk home was cold, and she had to rub her arms to keep warm.

However, what was waiting for her at home wasn't a hug.

Itachi stood there with a knife in his hand.

"We've been through this, Hinata. I'm not afraid to teach you a lesson, no matter how much it cost. Even a limb or two."

Her scream echoed through the busy streets of Konoha. Yet nobody heard a sound.

-:-

Shortish =/

(KEVINN! X3)