Author's Note-- Hey guys, thanks so much for your patience. things have been crazy with me. I am offically Graduating College this weekend, so i got this chapter out to celebrate. I want you all to know that I will finish this fic, and I'm very sorry it's taking so long. I will not be a cruel author and just stop. It might take me a while, but I will finish so no worries there. Hope you like this. I thought that my story was so far very sad so I thought this might be a bit cheery and more hopeful for those seeking Sakura and Sasuke :) I got ya covered.

Chapter 28- Beautiful

I'll be here just waiting for you
I'll be under your stars forever
Neither here nor there just right beside you

--

Naruto collapsed on his bed, careless to his dirty, raggedy clothes. He was so sick of the D-rank missions he almost had to gull built up to tell Kakashi he wasn't going to do it anymore. But every time his temper got to him and he was about to step up to the plate, his guilt would strike him out. Yes, he still felt blamed for Sasuke and Sakura and he wore it wherever he went.

Naruto sat up and looked around his apartment briefly. Filthy clothes laid around on the hard wood floor, mail piled up on the table, food moldy and smelly left out on the counter. He wouldn't mind cleaning up the place but since it wouldn't help take his unsettling thoughts from him, he concluded that there was no point. Besides, he wasn't much for company nowadays. He wondered how many friends he's lost because of his avoidance.

His blue eyes shifted to his window, catching sight of the half-moon hung in the air. His thoughts instantly went to Sakura and what she was doing, how she was, if she was hurt. So many worries just about her, he didn't have time to contemplate about Sasuke. Sasuke was a fighter, a man use to the wild and his own problems. Sakura was too self-less to live outside a village. There were too many creatures out there that would take advantage of someone like her. Would Sasuke protect her? Oh, how he doubted it.

The thing that gets to him the most though, was why he was left behind. Why didn't Sakura allow him to join so that way they could be team Seven out on their own together? Didn't she want that as much as he did? But to leave him behind, to leave him alone, was a punishment he wasn't sure he deserved.

A hand drifted to his stomach. It clenched there momentarily and he growled violently, wondering if it was possible to tear out the monster living inside him. He was probably left behind because of this thing. Somehow, it always came down to it.

His brows knit and his attention flew to his door. He was sure he heard a knock but still it felt part of his imagination. He waited staring at the wooden door for another minute until, again, he heard the small tapping, barely audible.

Naruto, confused, opened it slightly only to gap in surprise. "Hi--Hinata."

Her head was bowed, her long black bangs slightly in front of her face which she shyly tucked behind one ear, refusing to look up at him. "Naruto." She whispered without her slight stutter.

"What are you doing here?"

"Umm.."

He watched her maul over the answer for a bit. "Is something wrong?" Still keeping her eyes down, she nodded softly. This alerted him immediately and he grabbed her by the arms, "What happened? Is it Sakura?"

Swiftly she shook her head, "Iie, nothing like that."

He deflated visibly. Any news was better than none but his hopes had gotten to high. He almost wanted to slam the door and go back into his friendless room. But he refrained out of curiosity. He released her arms, stepping back, allowing her entry. "It's not really clean or anything." He spoke while little tinges of red built on his cheeks.

Her blush was instant also and with slight hesitation she stepped in, keeping as much distance from his form as possible, hugging the walls. When the door shut, she jumped slightly, making her face flush even darker when she received an odd stare.

Naruto nervously went around picking up his grimy clothes and throwing them in a corner somewhere, kicking trash to the sides and trying to clean a seat for her to sit at. He looked back at her unmoving form by the door. "Did you want to sit down?" Taking that as a form of invitation, Hinata bilged.

He glanced around, ashamed at the state of his apartment. He shouldn't have allowed her to see this. It grossed out even him. More embarrassed now he rummaged around, straightening his heap of unread mail, pushing his many soiled dishes into his sink, putting away little objects that would somehow make the place cleaner than it was. "So what's the problem?" He wanted to distract her from noticing any other disturbing sight he left out.

Hinata's bright lavender eyes widened up to him. She had forgotten whatever it was she had wanted to say upon allowing entry. She really hadn't thought he would talk to her, let alone keep her here long enough to speak. Now she wasn't sure the reason she had come was really any of his business. Yes, there was something bothering her but explaining it to anyone, most of all Naruto was not in her character.

Despite this sudden dilemma, relief was an overwhelming feeling. He had finally opened a door to his friends. And as luck would have it, opened it for her. She grew more nervous just thinking about, which instantly drowned out any form of happiness she would have gotten from this quick turn in events.

Hinata rose her gaze, realizing quickly that he was staring at her expecting some form of response and since she was a horrible liar she could do nothing but tell the truth. "It's Neji-nee-sama."

"Neji, huh? What's wrong with him?"

She bowed her head, knowing she was breaking her clan's normal act of secrecy by explaining to any outsider what was happening within her clan. "He's being forced to marry and he's very unhappy."

"Forced to marry? Are you kidding? He's not even eighteen."

"In two months he will be."

"Why can't he just not show up?"

"It isn't so easy within our clan to hide." She smiled softly, with a slight giggle.

"Oh yea." He scratched the back of his head, laughing slightly, "Guess not." Naruto sighed, leaning back against his counter. "Can't the Hokage do anything?"

"The Hokage has no say what goes on within our clan as long as there is no death."

"Man. Can't he do anything about it?"

She shook her head, "Unless he breaks from the clan."

"Well, that sounds simple enough." He shrugged, "What's the problem?"

Hinata caught his gaze just slightly to find his unconcerned gaze. It was a pity that caught her off guard forming within her. Naruto would never know what it would be like to be surrounded by clanmates, to have others with characteristics and traits like himself. She could imagine how lonely it would be to be clanless. But the pity was only short-lived before it vanished. Pity for Naruto? She giggled openly. He needed none of that.

"What's so funny?" He questioned albeit nervously, shifting to one foot back to the other.

She shook her head shyly, dropping her gaze, "Neji-nii-sama was right about you." She whispered with a smile. "You see the world so differently and yet you have eyes of everyone else."

"I guess that's a good thing."

Hinata nodded. "Hai. It's…" She stalled and stuttered, her face burning at just the thought of complimenting him. "It's…what.. I I like about you…"

Needless to say, Naruto had no quick witted response and he stuttered only briefly before he dashed to the fridge to hide his head in, appearing to be searching for something while trying to contemplate what he should say. He wondered if she could see what he was seeing: empty shelves. But he pretended anyway. "Want something to drink?"

Thankfully she replied, "Iie."

He hesitated in shutting the door, afraid to face the awkward situation and her gorgeous lavender eyes.

"Naruto?"

To try and ignore her still he ventured about cleaning off the counter. "Hm."

"Are you ever going to stop waiting?"

His ministrations instantly stalled, a hand wrapped around a cup, the other holding a plate. Even his breath was caught. He had momentarily forgotten Sasuke and Sakura and had only been here in this room with Hinata. Now he felt himself return to the forest where he had been left behind, staring at the blue waters of the river, waiting.

Hinata didn't know what made her ask. She regretted it terribly for causing him pain. Somehow though, she needed to get through to him. To try and help in the only way she could.

His back was stiff and he made no further movements except placing the items back down upon the table. Hinata could feel the sadness roll off him in waves. "Iie." He whispered softly.

She stood, if he heard her he made no inclination. Hinata touched the counter, reaching for a class and softly placing it into the already filled sink. "I'd…I would like to wait with you. If you don't mind."

His large wide sky eyes snapped to her, but she kept her blushed face slanted down to the dish she reached for. She placed item after item into the sink, piling it into a tiny mountain until her hand reached for the plate he himself had a grasp upon. Her touch startled him, brought him out of whatever world he had fallen into. She yanked herself back, embarrassed. But her gaze lifted just slightly to see if she could possibly make out what he was thinking. She was astounded to see a smile on his lips. "I don't mind." He handed her the plate and together they got started on the dishes.

--

They traveled for so long, Sasuke nearly forgot that there was anyone still following him. He could hear their labored breathing and glanced behind him. Sakura had fallen way behind that he could barely make out the color of her form. Ditching her would have been an easy task but he noticed the rest of his teammates were leaving subtle clues for her to find and even waiting for her to catch up. It made him sick. When did his team get so damned soft-hearted? Maybe it was time to remind them just why they were the outcasts of society.

A village came into view rather quickly and he took off with the remainder of his adrenaline and lost himself in the small town. He didn't care what they did. He never did.

Needless to say the town was very secluded and barely populated but he was known here, not for anything violent as all the other larger villages knew him for but simply for visiting often. It was a perfect location to take breaks for his enduring trips. There was only one hotel and they gave him a key without question, greeting him with a large smile and fearless eyes. They liked him because he was clean and paid over the amount necessary. Money was of no value to him and in a small location like this, it was worth more than he would ever know so he was generous carelessly.

A servant woman ran up ahead of him, opening the sliding door and bowing as he past. She quickly set up his bath.

Sasuke looked out the window just momentary to locate his exit in the town before shoving blinds shut, blocking out any light the moon might give. He stood and waited in the dark till the female rushed over and lit the candles on the wall. The town was too poor to have any electricity. But as said prior, candle-light was his preference. He watched it flicker with amazing motion, waving and twisting in the air.

The click of the door brought his attention swiftly back. He had managed to space out till the woman had finished. Sasuke undressed however he kept his sword up against the tub as he slipped into the nearly boiling water. A sigh past through his nose, the burn refreshing to his senses. Clothe and water were the only two essentials in the world he allowed to touch his form. Somehow the heat of the liquid relieved much of his tension. It wrapped him in a warm embrace and childishly, it reminded him of his mother's strong and loving arms.

He stared at the wall ahead of him, concentrating on persons he knew so well ten years prior. He could give the exact detail of his house, where each possession laid; his clan's district and each shop it contained. And yet, it was sickening to realize he could barely remember his mother's face.

Even while trying to concentrate solely upon her, t didn't take long for the flashback to overtake his senses. Kunais sticking from people's flesh. The blood dripping through the cracks of the floorboards. Itachi's black and empty gaze.

Sasuke shut his eyes. Even ten years later, it was better not to think of her. The pain of that day had not eased any. And though he was gradually forgetting the color of his mother's eyes, her skin, the sound of her voice, he had to force those memories away to hide from the hurt.

--

Sakura caught sight of his door and even had enough courage to stand before it but despite several years of maturing, she couldn't bring herself to knock. It wasn't fear that kept her back. She knew when someone needed space and the way that Sasuke had been acting lately was a definite reminder that it was better to just let him alone with his thoughts despite how much it feared her to allow him.

Her room was a level lower, too far for comfort. Her able to read chakras was mediocre. She could read normal chakra signatures within fifty feet of her. An ANBU member was able to read hundred feet. A Hyuuga was able to read over 3 miles. So needless to say, she wasn't up to par. Especially with Sasuke's chakra. He was able to suppress his massive reading to a point where even standing behind her, she wouldn't feel it. Thankfully however, none of his other teammates were that talented. She kept an eye on Karin's. If Karin began to move then it was a high chance that so was Sasuke.

Sakura sat next to his door. She had tried to sleep in her own room after she had showered and ate but tossing and turning had frustrated her too much. Perhaps it was the violent thunder storm going on outside or maybe she was no longer use to a bed. Her gaze shifted to the open window at the end of the hall. The rain came in noisy waves, blowing in all directions, pushing a cold draft in through the hall. She pressed her legs into her chest, trying to keep warm and rested her head upon her knees amazed by the horrid lightning flashing.

The lightning reminded her of the Raikage and his terrible horde of ninjas. That old man she hated with a horrible passion. He reminded her so much of Sasuke's brutal massacre three years ago inside the village. The purple chakra that surrounded the Uchiha, the dancing flames covering the whole entire body, his red sharigan blazing with an intensity even she learned to fear.

Why would Sasuke go to him? It had seemed as if Sasuke used him as some sort of twisted mentor. Using the Raikage to seek information, the Raikage 'rewarding' Sasuke for killing Orochimaru, and the way the Raikage treated him as if he were a kind of apprentice.

She had been relieved when Sasuke had acted with disdain. But her relief was short-lived when Sasuke's temper was exposed and he withdrew his blade.

A hand drifted to her forehead in frustration. Everything always contradicted one another. It was so hard to keep up with Sasuke and which side he was on.

Maybe he had been right. The few words he had spoken to her after the incident with TenTen. He had said there was no good and no bad but there was all this stuff in between. She was looking at it in such a plain view when it was much more complicated then that.

Sakura went on to think about what had upset Sasuke early. He was obviously mad about the trap she had set for the Raikage's minions. The question was 'why'. There was so many answers that could apply to the question but which one was correct? Was he mad he hadn't been able to be the 'rescurer'? Was he angry because he had a better plan and she toppled it? Or could he possibly be angry because she had been able to stay alive on her own?

Despite his temperament, Sakura still felt proud of herself. She had a right to be. She had managed to evade a hundred plus warriors on her own without fighting. Even his teammates had been impressed and were slowly warming up to her. Sakura was kind of starting to like them, though she knew she shouldn't. They were rowdy, offensive, and a bit psycho but they needed friends like everyone else. Maybe she could bring them over to the 'good' side. She smiled bright again. She liked it out here. She was needed, among a group of killers. Naruto and the bunch all liked to do the saving. Here, she didn't have to stand back and watch. What she did here mattered and it made her feel important, not just because she was a Med-nin.

Sakura suddenly stood. A confused anxiousness welled up inside her. She ran to the stairs, bounding down them, passing level after level till she shoved open the door to the outside. She shoved herself out into the rain, holding up a hand to try and cover her face, the rain stinging similar to sharp needle pricks.

And there he was. Sasuke. Standing in the center of the street. His head tipped back, perhaps staring up at the darkened sky. She couldn't tell if his eyes were open or not. He wore a black kimono, common sleepwear in these parts. It was drenched and stuck to his skin like a wet suit. His feet were sinking in the two inches of water and mud and it kept him steady against each gust of wind.

Lightning violently hit nearby and she flinched in surprise and quaked with the roll of thunder that followed after. The storm was one of the worst she had ever seen and still, she continued to venture further out. She stumbled in the road yet she trudged further, squinting in the rain to try and keep the bruising raindrops from hitting her gaze. Sakura slowed her pace, coming up behind him and yet she didn't stop to stand where she normally would. Instead she stepped up beside him. Her gaze was on him, wondering if he had noticed her long ago or if he was too within himself to pay attention.

His eyes opened shortly after her arrival, nothing else moved and his attention stayed upon the rain but she smiled to him nonetheless. That little movement meant he had acknowledged her existence and yet hadn't demanded her to leave. It was a triumph in her eyes and only strengthened her back, keeping her in the direct path of the violent storm, facing it with him. She wondered what he saw, standing out here. What did he feel, why did he do it? She could ask none of her questions obviously.

The hurricane-like storm continued to press down on them, yet none of it bothered her, standing next to him, being strengthened just by his own presence.

--

Karin stayed underneath the protection of the roof, watching the two dark forms in the middle of the street barring the storm together. She had at first come out to yell at the female, to not bother Sasuke during his typical routine. Instead she found this. Something she hadn't expected.

What was it that Sakura possessed? Did it have to do with the fact that those two had grown up together? Karin didn't think so. But wondering about it was all she could do. There was something about Sakura that even Karin herself hadn't been able to resist. And it was so infuriating. She wanted nothing more than to hate the med-nin and throw her to the wolves.

The door opened behind her yet she didn't care enough to turn from the couple. She could feel Suigetsu's chakra long before she heard him walking down the steps.

The mist deserter folded his arms and leaned against a pillar, glaring to the side at Karin then slowly directing his gaze out into the rain. "She won't do it, you know."

"Do what?" She whispered softly keeping her sight to them.

"Fix him. Heal him, whatever. Whatever she's trying to do."

Karin smile faded nearly instantly. She knew Suigetsu was trying to make her feel better but for some reason that didn't have the effect it should have. "What makes you think that?"

"He's like us."

"Us?"

"Too gone to be helped."

Karin knew the truth to those words. She had been there when Sasuke was at his worst and at his best. She had been there to witness some of his tortures. And had been present during some of Sasuke's most brutal murders. Sure, he didn't kill often but fear makes a person do terrible things. She had even watched him succeed in several amazing events, but that also meant she had been there to see him fail too. He was as broken as a man could be. Yet, there was one thing Suigetsu didn't take in account. Out of all of that, Sasuke was the only one among them that still possessed a heart.

It was at this moment she realized, Sakura was going to succeed. Karin may be jealous, and was completely in love with the Uchiha. But she knew she was nothing compared to Sakura. Because what Sakura possessed that she did not, was innocence. Sakura had what all of them wanted. It gave her the ability to fight.

Karin would make sure Sakura succeeded. Not for Sakura of course. But for the man they both loved.

---

Kiba needed to get out of the house. He was done with his sulking for the time being but he wasn't sure if there was anywhere safe place for him to go. Akamaru got up from his makeshift bed in the corner of the small apartment. Sakura's apartment to be sure of considering all of the girly flowers and perfumes that usually bothered his own sensitive nose. He didn't know why he had stayed in this place. Sakura's been gone almost a month now and he didn't plan on her coming back. Maybe he thought he could transform this place into his own yet he hadn't made any changes since. Except of course to allow Akamaru into the bedroom.

Kiba was stretched out on the large bed, sheets pulled up to his waist. He laid shirtless, exposing his own muscled belly and chest, skin darkened by a hereditary tan his clan possessed. Scars were plenty but most were from Akamaru. Growing up together, the dog's thick nails always landed a scratch.

Akamaru's head laid down upon the edge of the bed. His big brown eyes look over to him, sulking also. He whined softly until he received a quick, undeniable smile then jumped up on the comfy purple blankets and collapsed against Kiba's side. Kiba whispered, "Baby." And was 'accidentally' smacked with the dog's large tail.

There were plenty of things that he should be doing on this nice, cold afternoon but none of those things had gotten him out of bed. Call him lazy but he preferred to sleep the days away rather than face a certain Hyuuga.

Just thinking about her quickly frustrated him and he snapped up, grabbing for his mesh shirt and then slipping on his black jacket over it. Akamaru was on his heels, following out the door, looking up at his master with question.

Kiba really had no idea where he was going so he ignored Akamaru, traveling down through the village.

People assumed he was depressed about Sakura leaving and though that was partly true, it certainly wasn't the entirety of it. Sakura helped him get through the day. She was a best friend that made life bearable. He could forget about his own broken heart and help Sakura's with her own hurt. It may sound corny but they were both had only possessed a half a heart and yet together they formed a whole. It wasn't love. It was companionship. Yes, Akamaru helped somewhat in this category but there was something different about going to sleep each night with another person, then with a smelly hairy dog.

Kiba cursed himself when he found he had traveled down the path toward his clan. And as luck would have it, his mother's wolfhound ran out to him in happy greeting, instantly alerting his mother of his arrival. Not one minute later did his mother pop up.

"Well, look at my pathetic excuse for a son."

He forced a smile, "Missed you too."

"Your pinning over this halfbreed girl is quite annoying."

Kiba sighed wondering why he didn't turn away. Perhaps he just missed his mother's brutal honesty. Or maybe it was the food he smelt. "Steak?"

She smiled knowingly. "I figured it was time for us to have a talk." She wrapped an arm around his shoulder as they walked.

"Oh goody." He waved to his clan members that were out plowing the fields, keeping them covered from any frost the night might bring during the cold winter. He entered his home of many years, wondering why he hadn't moved back yet. He certainly missed the place and from the looks of it, so did Akamaru. He was out gallivanting with his own family members, playing happily.

His mother was quick to put food down on the table and even set some down for himself which he looked at curiously. "Isn't nee-san eating?"

"Iie, she's out on a trip to neighboring villages. Thought you knew." He shook his head, "Left last week. Should be returning shortly though." She began eating, cutting off any other questions he might possess and he took that also as an invitation to eat as well. It didn't take long for them to down both their streaks with their fang teeth gnawing quickly at the rough meat.

He should have known that as soon as he put his fork down the questions would begin. "So why haven't you been with your team?" His brows knit in question. "The Hyuuga girl came looking for you."

"She did?' He suddenly started but he chided himself quickly.

"I told her where you were but apparently she didn't go looking further. Now why couldn't you court someone like her? She's of full blood, and a Hyuuga, at that."

"I've told you to stop with that full blood crap. Sakura is as good as any other girl."

"Well, you don't deserve 'good'. You deserve the best for this clan. A half-breed holds no sway. A med-nin, nonetheless."

"Stop talking bad about her. That's why I've never brought her here."

"Look, I like her. I do. Honestly. But not for you to court."

"Well she's gone now, you must be relieved.."

"I am." She stated matter-of-factly. "However. If you knew you'd go tuck your tail between your legs and hide in a cave, I wouldn't have let you court her to begin with."

Kiba scarped back his chair against the wood floor, standing somewhat defiantly. His mother just leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed looking at him with patience. "She meant something to me, kassan. Now she's missing and probably not coming back. So can't you just drop it? You won this one. Do you have to rub it in my face?"

She sighed and pursued her lips slightly, an expression she did when she was either angry or contemplating. "I guess I can drop it."

"domo." He replied sharply, grabbing his plate and resting it roughly in the sink. He stood there however, looking out the window, watching Akamaru.

He felt his mother stand beside him. She did not reach out to touch him as a normal mother would. Since he did not have a father she had taken on both rolls of each parent which had toughened her more so than she had already been in her younger years. Sometimes, he wished for just a mom to wrap her arms around him and tell him foolish lies that everything was well and not to worry. But he knew better than to have such aspirations. "I don't need to worry about you, do I?" He shook his head. "You'll get over this. We all had such obstacles to overcome. The best thing to do is force yourself into missions and work. Which is exactly what I'm going to help you with." She turned on her foot as she spoke, "You'll move back in tonight and help within the clan from now on. No more sulking." Her voice faded and the door shut quickly afterward.

--

Well, someone had to be having a hard time. Not everyone was allowed to be happy :) Hope you liked this, don't give up hope, the relationships will get better :D

Oh, ps-- Domo means- thanks, slang style in japanese.