Hello all!

I had written out a brief outline of what happens in this story before we learned about the events of The Last, the ending 700, and Naruto Gaiden so I'd say this is an AU of sorts. I have tweaked certain parts to fit canon but it still strays. (For example, in my first draft I had given Sakura a baby boy with pink hair). Either way, enjoy!

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Chapter 23- Jealousy

Present Time

A few days later Naruto sat in his office once again, scribbling away at papers. The door to his office opened and Shikamaru walked in with his hands in his pockets.

"What's up?" Naruto asked, looking up at his long time friend.

"The ninja stationed at the Village of Ash should be returning later today," Shikamaru said, not wanting to engage in frivolities and time wasting greetings at the moment.

Naruto nodded. "It didn't seem to make any difference…"

Shikamaru looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean it doesn't seem like it makes a difference as to whether we send ninja there or not."

Shikamaru nodded briefly. "They'll do one more round to see what they can gather but I'm sure they'll be back by the end of the day."

"Alright, make sure they come to me when they get back," Naruto said, shuffling through his papers.

"Will do," he said before exiting the room.

Naruto pushed away from his desk and went to look out the window. He stretched out his cramped muscles with a satisfying groan. The sun was shining brightly and the village of Konoha was bustling. He smiled at the scene before him but also felt a tinge of jealousy at the carefree life many of them led. But he had always wanted to be in this office as the Hokage and now he was. His face was now always watching over the people of the village, his whiskers and grin prominent on the Hokage Monument.

He continued watching the people walk around below when he noticed some familiar faces. He saw a brief flash of pink, blond, and dark hair before the three women disappeared into the crowd. He smiled at the thought of his friends before getting back to work.

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Meanwhile Hinata was having a lunch date with Sakura and Ino. They suggested sushi at first but Hinata's stomach churned nervously just at the thought of it. She didn't like shrimp or crab dishes anyway and Ino wasn't a very big fan of shashimi anyway.

"Ichiraku?" Hinata asked

Ino laughed and Sakura shook her head. "Naruto sure is rubbing off on you," Sakura said.

Hinata smiled nervously. In the end they decided on a simple café that served different types of food so that they could all just order whatever they liked.

"So, Billboard Brow, I'm surprised you're out and about," Ino said, taking a bite of a cherry tomato in her salad.

Sakura rolled her eyes at Ino's childhood nickname for her. "Sasuke-kun is watching Sarada," she explained. "I have some free time and I haven't seen you guys in a while."

"How is it having a cute, little baby girl?" Hinata asked, sipping her red bean soup.

Sakura swallowed a bite of her syrup coated anko dumpling before answering. "It's a lot of work but I can't help but love it," she said, staring off at nothing in particular in the distance. "But I also feel really uneasy not being at home. I feel like everything bad will happen if I don't have my baby in my sight."

Hinata nodded in understanding, feeling very aware of the minuscule movements she felt in her stomach. "I don't know what I would do if…" she rubbed her stomach slowly. "…Was in danger."

Ino's eyes moved from the pink haired woman to the dark haired woman back and forth. She let out a huff of air, her side bangs fluttering up. "Okay, okay, no more of this dire, grim, ominous, etcetera etcetera talk," she said, calling their attention onto herself. She looked at Hinata dead in the eyes making the other girl nervous. Hinata knew the next few words would not be exactly fun for her. "So, Hinata," Ino started making said woman tense. "You and Naruto have been married for…what, about two years, give or take?"

Hinata sort of nodded and shrugged.

"Well…rumor has it you two are still at that 'just married' phase," he said, winking.

Sakura chuckled and shook her head.

"'Just married' phase?" Hinata asked.

Ino leaned forward in her seat. "You know…'just married' phase as in honeymoon phase…as in you two romp like rabbits-"

"Ino!"

The two other kunoichi burst out laughing as their dark haired friend went red.

"Aw, come on Hinata, you're among friends. You can tell us," Ino urged.

Hinata looked towards Sakura for help but she just laughed and gave her a smirk. "Sorry, Hinata. All of Konoha pretty much think-"

"-Know," Ino interjected.

"-Know," Sakura amended. "How Naruto acts when he comes back from a mission. Or when you come back from a mission."

Hinata blushed, staring down at her lap.

"It's true. You two disappear for the night," Ino said, taking a bite of her food.

"We could be sleeping!" Hinata defended.

"Oh, I'm sure sleeping is something you are not," Ino snickered. "He did have some very perverted sensei's."

Hinata's blush grew and she moved the beans in her bowl around, avoiding eye contact with her friends.

"Aw, Hinata, we're just playing," Sakura said nicely.

"Yeah, after all, there's nothing to be ashamed of," Ino confirmed. "I'd be proud as hell of yours and Naruto's relationship."

"I am proud," Hinata said softly.

The two light haired kunoichi smiled at their friend.

Sakura reached over for a napkin before changing topics. "Do you remember when, sometime after the war, I sort of tried to get Sasuke-kun jealous?"

Ino quirked up her eyebrows in interest. "This was, what, like seven years ago?"

"Something like that," Sakura said with a slight shrug. She looked at Hinata apologetically. "I didn't mean to get you involved."

Hinata giggled. "Honestly…it was kind of exciting. Strange at first and very embarrassing but…interesting."

"Whoa, whoa," Ino said. "I don't remember this incident. Give me details!"

"I think this was a few months after the war ended?" Sakura asked, looking at Hinata for confirmation. The pregnant kunoichi nodded. "You and Naruto weren't exactly dating yet, right?"

Hinata shook her head. "Not really. We spent a lot of time together though."

Sakura gave her a wary smile. "Sorry I had to use him to get back at Sasuke-kun."

"No, no. Don't be sorry," Hinata said genuinely. "And I ended up helping Sasuke-san too so-"

Sakura laughed. "Oh yeah."

"Sorry," Hinata mumbled.

Sakura waved the apology away. "Nah, I knew what he was up to. Naruto on the other hand?"

Hinata giggled. "Gullible."

"Guys!" Ino whined. "Tell me what happened!"

Sakura and Hinata looked at each other before turning to their other friend and expanding on the moment in question that happened so long ago.

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Approximately Seven Years Ago

"Sakura-chan, why not just talk to him?" Naruto asked, lounging on the blanket she laid out on the grass.

"Talking to him isn't working," the medical ninja said, opening the straw picnic basket angrily.

"So you think I'll be able to help?" Sakura said nothing. "Sakura-chan, how do you know he'll even come by here or something? Or even get jealous?" Sakura's face fell and Naruto winced. "Sorry, that came out wrong."

"I don't know if it'll work or not, Naruto," Sakura said, tossing him a sandwich wrapped in plastic. "Whatever. He'll come by."

"How do you know?" Naruto asked, peeling the plastic wrap from the soggy sandwich. Naruto grimaced and chuckled. Sakura's cooking did not really improve. Although, he did find himself comparing it to Hinata's cooking, which he personally thought no one could compare to. Not even Ichiraku. Maybe.

"Whenever we get into a fight he eventually comes looking for me."

"Really?" Naruto asked, eyebrows raised.

"Kind of…"

Naruto laughed. "Kind of?"

Sakura huffed. "Oh, be quiet before I hit you."

Naruto just laughed harder.

…

Meanwhile Hinata was taking a leisurely stroll through the park, on the search for different flowers to take home and press. She found a patch of what looked liked daisies and crouched down to pick the perfect one. A shadow loomed over her and she quickly turned around, standing up.

"Sasuke-san!" she said, surprised. He was standing beside her, with his hands in his pockets, and avoiding direct eye contact with her. Hinata was disappointed at the fact that she didn't sense him coming. "Um, what are you doing here?" she tried to ask politely.

He crossed his arms and his eyes drifted lazily to stop on her face. She shifted nervously. She realized she never actually had much contact with this ninja. "I need your…assistance," he said stiffly.

Hinata's shoulders relaxed. "You need my help?"

"Hn," he muttered.

"Of course I'll help," she said with a brief nod. She wasn't going to refuse someone if she could do something that could benefit him or her. "What do you need me to do?"

If Hinata didn't think that Uchiha's were incapable of blushing, she would have thought that Sasuke was, indeed, blushing. Her eyes widened just the slightest. What could he need help with that could make Sasuke Uchiha nervous?

"Sakura and I got into an argument," he stated, shifting his eyes away from her.

Hinata cocked her head. "Oh, do you need me to go talk to-"

"No," he said bluntly. Hinata shut her mouth and clasped her hands together, waiting for him to continue. Sasuke turned his head to look at her again and said, "She's here with Naruto."

Hinata was confused. She didn't see anything wrong with teammates hanging out with one another. "I don't-"

"They're having a picnic," Sasuke said, the word rolling strangely off his tongue.

Hinata felt as if something cold dripped down her back and sent shivers up her spine. Her face was blank. "Um…"

"On a date."

It felt as though someone splashed ice water all over her and she felt herself go cold.

Sasuke saw her stiffen up slightly and actually felt an inkling of remorse. Hinata Hyuga, he thought. She was still a mystery to him. Brought up in a noble clan but possessing none of the qualities he had assumed the Hyuga's had. He had never been harassed or annoyed by her during their academy days. As far as he knew she was never a part of the legion of fangirls he had always avoided. And from what he had heard, she was the one to bring Naruto out of hopelessness on many different occasions. "It's not my intention to make you…feel bad," he said.

"Oh, no," Hinata said quickly, shaking her head. "It's not your fault Sasuke-san-"

"Call me Sasuke," he said.

"S-Sasuke," she stuttered out. She realized she had never actually had a full out conversation with the Uchiha. All that she knew about him were the rumors that bounced around the village and the things Naruto and Sakura told her about him on passing. She brushed those thoughts out of her mind and believed he wasn't as bad as some villagers made him out to be. She seemed to regain her resolve. She straightened up and looked straight at him once again. "What is it that you want me to help you with?"

Sasuke fidgeted again. "Sakura is obviously trying to make me jealous," he said. Hinata looked doubtful and a tad bit sad and he noticed. "It's not a real date," he said firmly. Hinata nodded. He stared at her curiously. He knew she was important to the dobe, even if he didn't realize it himself. He noticed the slightest changes in his best friends demeanor whenever the woman before him was in the area. The straightening of his back, the glimmer in his eyes, and the slightest upturn in his smile. "So I…" Hinata saw his jaw clench. "I'm going to stoop down to Sakura's level."

Hinata thought that was a slightly rude way to word it but she understood. "You're going to try and make her jealous too."

Sasuke's gaze was still focused on her, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. He blinked at her statement. "Yes."

Hinata couldn't help it. Pink tinged her cheek and she fiddled with her fingers. "Why do you need me?"

"Sakura is here with Naruto," he repeated.

Hinata opened her mouth and then closed it. "He-"

Sasuke sighed. "Naruto won't like it when he sees you with me."

Hinata felt a warmth spread throughout her body at those words. "Oh…"

Sasuke continued to look at her and she felt slightly unnerved. "You should have more confidence in yourself," he said before turning away.

"I…" she looked at the former rogue ninja with a slight smile. She wanted to do this. Both for him and herself. Also…it seemed like it would be fun. "Thank you, Sasuke," she said.

He nodded. "They're sitting in a clearing over that way," he said, pointing off into the distance. "There are some flowers there if you want to pick them."

"It seems like a good reason to go there," Hinata admitted. She was getting kind of excited. She would never normally do these kinds of things but now she was actually a bit eager.

Sasuke hesitated. "I may hold your hand or maybe touch your cheek or something," he said, avoiding eye contact.

"Oh-"

"Unless it makes you uncomfortable," he continued rapidly.

Hinata felt her cheeks heat up. But she was determined to do this. "No, it's fine. You can do that."

He glanced at her. "If it makes you feel uncomfortable," he repeated. "I'll stop."

She nodded and smiled. "What should we do now?"

Sasuke's face got serious before he went over a rough plan.

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Naruto poked at the egg salad (or at least he thought it was egg salad) with disdain. He was getting bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. He sort of felt bad (but not really) that he had started to tune out Sakura who was going on and on and on about Sasuke.

Then suddenly Naruto perked up. He sat up straight and turned his head towards the direction of a cluster of trees. He sensed a familiar chakra and his heart started to beat just a little bit faster.

From the shadows of the trees emerged Hinata.

A smile adorned the orange ninja's face as he watched her walk into the area. She didn't seem to have noticed him or Sakura. Naruto raised one hand and was about to call to her when he saw Hinata turn back to the direction of the trees and motion to someone to hurry up.

Naruto's smile faltered.

Sasuke walked out of the trees, straight up to Hinata, and took her hand in his.

Naruto's hand dropped and he quickly turned his head away from the scene, looking in Sakura's direction but seeing nothing. Maybe if he didn't see Sasuke and Hinata together they wouldn't be together. It was a childish thought but Naruto was very confused.

His eyes were wide and his heartbeat was erratic. At the moment he didn't trust what he saw.

Sakura noticed the change in her friends demeanor and followed his former gaze, her eyebrows flying up in shock and maybe the tiniest bit of anger.

But Sakura realized what Sasuke-teme was doing.

Using Hinata? Sakura thought, with a shake of her head. Shame- then with a cringe she realized she was sort of doing the same with Naruto. She huffed and angrily stabbed at the food on her plate, keeping her head down.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto mumbled, his voice low. The pink haired kunoichi refused to look up. "Sakura-chan…did you see-did you-was Hinata…was Sasuke and Hinata…?" Naruto still didn't trust his betraying eyes at the moment.

Sakura accidently stabbed a hole in her plate, still not looking up but she nodded, confirming what Naruto saw.

Naruto tensed.

He was starting to feel uncomfortable. His mind flashed back to when he held Hinata's hand during the war and then to the image of Sasuke-teme holding Hinata's hand burned into his mind. He stiffened when they came into view again.

Hinata seemed to be leading Sasuke to a large rose bush some distance away from them. He could see them just fine and he started to wonder why they didn't notice Sakura and himself. That thought flew from his mind when he saw Sasuke pick a flower from the ground and hand it to Hinata.

Hinata blushed.

Naruto's nose flared in anger and he debated chucking a fistful of egg salad at his raven-haired best friend.

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Sasuke's back was to him but Hinata was angled so that Naruto could clearly see her.

"What's he doing?" Sasuke asked Hinata quietly.

Hinata didn't even have to look directly at the blonde ninja. She could see the picnic layout from the corner of her eye. "He's staring at us," she said softly, a smile plastered on her face. She spun the flower in her fingers as Sasuke nodded.

"Good," Sasuke said before moving a strand of her hair away from her face. Hinata felt herself stiffen but reminded herself to relax. Even though it was strange to have Sasuke touch her like this, she knew this was all an act. "What's he doing now?"

Hinata allowed herself to glance briefly at Naruto whose eyebrows seemed to be scrunched together. Hinata looked back at Sasuke and giggled. "He looks kind of angry."

Sasuke smirked. Actually smirked. And Hinata was surprised, more so when he took that strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear, his fingers trailing down the side of her cheek before he brought his hand back to his side. Hinata blushed, unable to control that reaction.

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Naruto was fuming and Sakura noticed. "Naruto, relax!" she hissed.

"What the hell does that bastard think he's doing?" Naruto growled.

Sakura rolled her eyes. She knew what they were doing, and it certainly wasn't what it looked like. He doesn't know they're acting, Sakura thought with a sly smile. She turned around slightly to see the other "couple." Hinata seemed to be trying to pick some roses. Sasuke-kun…she thought, with a shake of her head. She could see his reason for choosing Hinata to be his partner in this game they were playing. And Sakura was happy with his choice. The medical ninja turned back to look at her angry blonde partner and chuckled. She would let Sasuke continue. This could be fun, she thought, watching Naruto's hand curl up into fists.

"She hurt herself on a thorn," Naruto informed, a look of concern washing over his face briefly before being replaced with envy. "That teme put her finger in his mouth!" he said sharply, starting to get onto his feet.

Sakura pulled him down quickly, toppling over the basket and causing some commotion. "Sit down!" she hissed.

Both Hinata and Sasuke turned at the loud sound and saw Naruto sitting clumsily while Sakura held onto the front of his jacket, her mouth moving angrily.

"Well done," Sasuke said, letting go of Hinata's hand.

She giggled. She didn't really prick her finger but it was fun pretending she did.

"The next step might make you uncomfortable," Sasuke said, once again not maintaining eye contact.

"What are you going to do?" she asked curiously.

"I'm going to pretend to kiss you," he said seriously.

Hinata went red, her mouth falling open slightly. "Oh."

"We don't have to."

She stared at the ground for a few seconds, a million thoughts running through her head. "A fake kiss right?"

He nodded. "It'll look real from the dobes angle," he explained. "My hands will be splayed across your face but my thumbs will be covering your lips," he said.

"So you'll be kissing your thumbs?" she said nervously.

"Yes."

Hinata glanced back at the picnic scene, her heart clenching at the thought of, what if Sakura and Naruto were on a real date? Naruto didn't seem to enjoy the interaction she was having with Sasuke, which immediately relaxed the tight feeling around her heart. She looked back at the man before her and nodded, giving him a false smile, indicating she was ready.

Naruto saw Hinata smiling at his stupid teammate and grumbled.

"What's happening now?" Sakura asked, scooting over slightly so she'd have a better view of the pair near the flowers.

"Hinata's all smiling and stuff," Naruto grumbled.

"How cute," Sakura teased.

Naruto looked at his friend incredulously. "Smiling at Sasuke, in case you didn't notice, Sakura-chan."

Sakura waved him away and watched the scene play out. And Naruto looked at her in bewilderment before shaking his head and turning back to the two dark haired ninja.

From their angle they saw Sasuke gently bring his hands up to cup Hinata's cheek. Her face had lit up red and she had placed her hands on his chest. Naruto grit his teeth together, once again tried to get up before being rudely pulled down by Sakura. What Naruto and Sakura didn't know was that Hinata had placed the palms of her hand against Sasuke's chest to stop the kiss briefly. She had gotten nervous and was building up courage once more.

Naruto opened his mouth to say something when Sasuke kissed Hinata.

Kissed Hinata.

Naruto felt himself go cold and Sakura brought her hand up to her mouth in a gasp. She did not expect that. None of them did.

Naruto felt his now elongated nails-claws-digging into his skin as he watched the two in fury.

Then he was gone and Sakura did not stop him.

Naruto wanted to punch Sasuke, he really did.

But he restrained himself.

Sakura blinked. One second Naruto was sitting beside her and the next he had a hand on Sasuke and Hinata's shoulder, a fake grin plastered on his face.

"Hey, Sasuke-teme!" Naruto greeted. "Hinata! What are you two doing here?"

Sasuke rolled his shoulder, removing Naruto's hand. Naruto brought both his hands down to his side, his fists clenching and unclenching. He was trying really hard not to knock Sasuke as far as he could.

"I asked Hinata out on a date," Sasuke said bluntly.

Naruto felt his heart stop. "A date?"

"Yes," he said. "One that you're interrupting."

Naruto's eyes flicked to Hinata. "You're on a date with Sasuke?"

Hinata realized she was poking her fingers together and quickly stopped, lowering her arms. "W-well, he asked-"

"Naruto. Idiot," Sasuke said, pushing him aside lightly. "Go away, we were busy."

Naruto watched Sasuke slip his hand into Hinata's and his urge to attack the Uchiha grew. "Busy doing what?" Naruto asked, his mouth dry. The kiss kept replaying in his head.

Sasuke stared at him like he was stupid.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said happily, finally joining the group. "Hinata! What a surprise seeing you here!" her voice sounded happy, but her look showed that she knew exactly what Sasuke was doing. She smirked. I tried to make you jealous using Naruto. So you tried to make me jealous using Hinata. Using Hinata is making Naruto jealous.

Sasuke's eyes met Sakura's and they seemed to reach an agreement. They put aside their argument and reason for the fight momentarily and decided to concentrate on making Naruto's jealousy grow.

"Hi, Sakura-chan," Hinata said with a nervous smile. She didn't want to hurt Sakura by going on this fake date with Sasuke.

Sakura gave her an encouraging smile. "Did I hear right when Sasuke said you two were on a date?" Hinata nodded. A strange growling sound came from the back of Naruto's throat, which was ignored. "How cute!"

"Cute?" Naruto practically snarled. He looked at his pink haired teammate aghast. "I thought you wanted me to come to this picnic to make teme here jea-"

"Well, Sasuke-kun and Hinata-chan seem to be enjoying themselves," Sakura said, interrupting the orange ninja.

"Very much so before this idiot showed up," Sasuke said darkly. He snaked his arm around Hinata's waist. Hinata immediately went red, not expecting this show of false affection.

Naruto stared.

Holding hands with Hinata was his thing.

Putting a hand on her waist?

Tucking her hair behind her ear?

Kissing her finger?

Kissing…

Naruto snapped.

Till this day Sasuke continues to say that he saw Naruto's punch coming and purposefully let him hit him.

Sasuke flew into the prickly bush, cursing as little droplets of blood speckled across his skin from the thorns.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura and Hinata gasped, immediately rushing to his side.

Saukra began healing the Uchiha and Hinata turned to Naruto, a hand at her mouth.

"Naruto-kun! Why did you hit Sasuke?" she asked, her eyebrows creased in worry.

Naruto huffed and crossed his arms. "I dunno."

"You don't know?" Sakura said a bit miffed, her hands surrounded in a green aura.

"He was annoying me."

"You are an idiot," Sasuke grunted, pulling out a few thorns. "If you paid better attention you would have noticed I didn't even really kiss her."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly and relief spread through his body.

"You couldn't just let them have a proper date, could you?" Sakura said, trying to sound angry. Her face was turned away from Naruto so he couldn't see the sly smile adorning her face.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto groaned. "I thought you of all people would understand-"

"Understand what?" she asked innocently.

Naruto clenched his teeth and shut his mouth abruptly.

"Uchiha-san, are you alright?" Hinata spoke up softly.

"Fine," he replied bluntly.

"Bastard…" Naruto muttered to himself.

Hinata turned to her whiskered friend and frowned, though inside she was bursting with joy at his response to the entire situation.

Naruto saw the disappointed look on Hinata's face and cringed. Then he shot out his arm, took her hand in his and pulled them away from Sakura and Sasuke.

"C'mon, Hinata," Naruto grunted. "Since Sakura's busy healing Sasuke, maybe we can go pick some flowers or something if you want," he rambled.

Sakura briefly stopped her healing process to watch the two retreat. Hinata looked back apologetically but Sakura held out a thumb up, grinning broadly. Then Hinata turned around and Naruto slipped his arm around her waist, ushering them away.

"Oh!" Sakura said in shock.

"Hn," Sasuke muttered.

Sakura turned back to the Uchiha. "One step at a time for them, huh?"

Sasuke shrugged, but his lips seemed to be turned in just the slightest smile.

Sakura continued healing him until she remembered that she was mad at him and the green chakra vanished. Sasuke looked at her questioningly and she just turned and crossed her arms.

He sighed and rolled his eyes.

.

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Present Time

Ino laughed. "I could believe that."

"From that day on Naruto-kun wasn't shy about putting his hands on my waist," Hinata said, giggling. "Before it was really just holding hands."

"I wonder what he wouldn't have been shy about if Sasuke-kun actually kissed you," Ino pondered.

Sakura frowned. "Well, he didn't."

"And I wouldn't have let him," Hinata said, giving Sakura a comforting nod.

They continued with their meal and Hinata glanced outside of the window, something bright catching her eye. She could have sworn she saw a hint of red being swallowed up by the crowd. Red hair wasn't that dominant around here and she wondered if what she saw really was a red haired* woman.

She wondered about it briefly before being pulled into a conversation with her friends again, the thought shoved to the back of her mind.

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*I know red hair has to do with the Uzumaki clan or something, but for the sake of this story I'm going to neglect that little fact. I chose red hair purely for symbolic reasons.

I really like writing Sasuke and Sakura. Apparently so does Kishimoto (for those who read Gaiden, haha).

I think Sasuke and Hinata could really have a nice friendship.

Please review! I was disappointed in the amount of reviews I received last chapter. It was the first time I updated in a while and I was feeling nervous. I'd really appreciate it if you found the time to review! It helps me write.

-Magma

Up Next: Concern

"A woman has been seen around your home," Sasuke said slowly. "A woman that isn't Hinata."

"And…?"

"If a strange woman is seen around a married man's home while the wife isn't around what do people assume?"