AUTHOR SAYS: THOUGHT I'D SMASH ANOTHER CHAPTER OUT BEFORE I GO TO BED. THESE IDEAS ARE COMING AT ME FROM OUT OF NOWHERE. :) THEIR WILL COME A TIME THOUGH WHEN I DON'T UPDATE, SO PLEASE DON'T WORRY. I'M RANDOM. ENJOY THE CHAPTER. :)

R&R PLEASE - REALLY

Legend:

'Thoughts'

"Talking"

"Jutsu"

Previously...

"Baka." Kankuro said with a chukle, "You sure don't act like one."

"Your just jealous." Naruto retorted playfully.

They shook hands, "It's good to see you." Kankuro said.

Naruto smiled, "Yeah."

"What brings you here, Kazekage-sama?." Kakashi asked, he felt left out.

Temari stepped beside her brother and placed her fan down, "It's about the Jounin exams."

Chapter Twenty One

Don't Surrender

"No offense Kazekage-sama, but that idea is to dangerous." Shikamaru said. They were now in the Hokage's office discussing the Jounin exams.

Gaara raised a hand, "Please, Gaara is fine amongst friends." He stated.

Naruto chuckled, "You haven't changed one bit."

"Neither have you." Temari cut in.

'She hasn't changed either.' Shikamaru thought. 'Always answering for him.'

"Leave Uchiha Sasuke to me." Gaara said, causing a slight shift in the atmosphere.

Kakashi stepped forward as to break the eerie feeling, "If you're worried about him interferring then rest assured, he won't." He explained.

Shikamaru nodded, "He's right, Sasuke won't do anything to jeopardize her."

Gaara suddenly became interested, "You mentioned, her."

Naruto frowned, "Hinata Hyuuga." He said.

"What does she have to do with any of this?." Kankuro wondered.

"She's going for Jounin." Kakashi said.

Temari raised a brow, "Hinata? Isn't she a bit delicate to try out for something like Jounin?."

Shikamaru chuckled, "Trust me, when you see her come the day, she won't look as delicate as you think."

"What makes you say that?." Gaara asked.

"Sasuke's been training her."

Kankuro sighed, "That does make things alittle complicated."

"What do you mean?." Naruto asked.

"Temari and I have been chosen to partake in the exam. At least one of us will go against her." Kankuro explained, "Hence, why I said complicated."

"Their relationship, it's platonic, eh?." Gaara wondered, he looked straight at Naruto.

Naruto blushed angrilly and turned his head the other way, "Sex included."

"W-what?."Kankuro said, shocked, "B-but she's so pure...and Sasuke...did I miss something?."

"Konoha sure knows how to mix them." Temari said surprised.

"Back to the topic..." Shikamaru cut in, he was beginning to get bored speaking about his friend and Sasuke, "...Like I said before, Sasuke won't interfere so long as everything is fair and her life isn't threatened."

"So they've gone that far into their relationship?." Temari asked, "I didn't think the Uchiha had any feeling at all."

"He's very possessive of her." Shikamaru said, glancing over at Naruto who was glaring out the window, Gaara too could feel Naruto's anger slowly building.

"All should go according to plan." Gaara said, gaining Naruto's attention. "This might be a big ask, but we must return almost as quickly as we've come."

"Why?." Naruto queried.

"Gaara is engaged." Kankuro answered for him.

Temari smacked him across the head. "Baka! Don't go deciding what to say for Gaara."

'You do it all the time.' Kankuro thought. 'Hyprocrite.'

"Ok." Naruto said, standing, "Let's move the Jounin exams forward. I don't want you to get held back."

Gaara gave a small smile, "Arigatou."

Meanwhile...

"Sasuke-kun, do you mind if I go out and get us something to eat?." Hinata asked.

Sasuke shifted slightly to lean on his elbow, he thought about it before saying, "No ramen."

Hinata giggled, "Hai, no ramen."

Sasuke brought her forward roughly and kissed her, "Go, before I change my mind."

Hinata nodded and rolled out of the bed. It was strange. She didn't realize how comfortable she could be with him. A few days in the sack made her feel alittle confident being naked around him. Although, she did have moments when he gawked at her for long periods of time. Even now as she stood to find some clothes, his skillful eyes were taking in everything she had to offer. She blushed.

"Your clothes are ruined." He said, pointing at a drawer, "Wear something of mine."

Hinata shook her head, "I couldn't possibly..-"

"It would..." Sasuke paused, "...It would please me if you do."

"Ummm...hai." She said, opening the drawer.

Hinata shuffled through his clothes before pulling out a black tank top and pants. The pants seemed baggy but she was used to baggy, so she could make it work. Also, the top looked big enough for her rather large bosom area. She smiled as she placed freshed clothing on.

"How do I look?." She asked. She blushed suddenly for her outburst and turned her back to him.

Sasuke smirked, "You look like mine." He replied, gazing proudly at the Uchiha symbol standing out boldly on the back. He refrained himself from telling her about it. He wanted to make a silent statement to everyone, including the dobe should she run into him. Hinata was his.

"I'm gonna go now." She said, but not before turning and giving him a smile.

Sasuke clenched his teeth and waved her off. She did as told and was gone before he could throw her back down onto the bed and have his way with her. He fell back onto his pillow and rubbed his eyes. She had so much control over him and she didn't know it. Sasuke glanced up at the ceiling. Did she know that she could never leave him? He rolled onto his stomach and inhaled the scent her hair had left behind. Then he suddenly got up.

'Fuck it.' He thought, quickly throwing on a pair of fresh pants and a t-shirt. 'Fuck house arrest.'

He left the window open on his way out.

"Naruto." Gaara said, looking at the blonde from the corner of his eye.

Naruto had his hands behind his head as they walked, he looked over, "Hmm.."

"You looked..." Gaara wasn't good with speaking his emotions, but he could read them well, "...you looked upset when we spoke about..-"

"I like her." Naruto cut in with a big grin.

"I thought you loved Sakura? It was obvious."

"Long story." Naruto said with a sigh, he wasn't used to Gaara speaking like this. Their conversations normally consisted of missions. Seems even Gaara had changed.

"She's with the Uchiha now." Gaara stated. He could sense the resentment radiating off of him.

"Yeah." Naruto replied bitterly, "And I don't know what to do."

"I've heard of a similar relationship." Gaara said, "When another guy tries to take another man's women, they're called a home wrecker."

Naruto turned red and glared, "I am not a home wrecker." He said in his defense, "I just...like I said before, I don't know what to do."

"Leave it alone." Gaara finally said as he came to a stop outside of a familiar stall.

Naruto completely ignored the last part as he realised where they were, "Ichiraku Ramen." He cheered, patting Gaara none too friendly on the back. "My shout."

Gaara grinned, "That's what you always say."

Out of the shop with groceries in hand, Hinata again lowered her eyes as people stared at her. She was unsure of the reason, but she came pretty close to asking someone. And that random someone ran at the sight of her. At first she thought it was because of the tank-top. Maybe it was too revealing? Maybe they weren't used to seeing her wearing such clothes? She knew her breasts were quite big for a girl her age, but surely it wouldn't stir so much panic in the villagers.

"Hinata?."

Hinata turned on instinct. She knew that voice anywhere. "Sakura." She greeted awkwardly.

The pinkette had glassy eyes, probably from crying and lack of sleep. Hinata felt for her, she really did. Having lost her ability to be a ninja and such. But what she noticed mostly, was how Sakura was eyeing up the clothing she wore. Hinata bit her lip. So that's why everyone avoided her. She must've looked easy or something.

"You..." Sakura coughed and looked anywhere but at her, "...You have guts, Hinata. Especially baring the Uchiha Clans symbol around here."

'What?.' Hinata thought, shocked.

"You didn't know?." Sakura said, she didn't believe for a second that Hinata didn't know.

"I-I...I had no idea." Hinata said. She noticed a mother and her child running swiftly passed her.

"Are you really prepared for all of this?." Sakura asked, she was trying her best to contain her anger. 'I'm sure you can make up for what you've lost. It's just going to take time.' She remembered Ino telling her.

Sakura calmed, "He chose you." She whispered, "Had it been me, I would've felt proud to bare that symbol."

Hinata felt her heart clench. 'You really loved him that much?.' She thought. "Ano, I do feel proud. I will never leave Sasuke's sight, ever." She stated boldly.

Sakura felt her determination and gave a small smile, "You are more than what I'll ever be, Hinata." She said, "Even when I had Naruto by my side, I felt I did you wrong. I never thought for a million years that Sasuke would ever return, but when he did..."

"Please, keep going." Hinata urged.

"When he returned, it was like all thoughts of Naruto vanished and were replaced with Sasuke. I truly, truly loved Naruto. But my childhood crush won me over and I became that little girl from years ago all over again. Love sick. Drawn in by Sasuke's darkness and praying that one day I'll be the light he might crave for."

Hinata bit her lip. 'Don't cry.' She told herself.

Sakura was blinking her eyes rapidly to stop herself from tearing up, "I was insanely jealous of you when Sasuke took notice of you. At the time I thought you stole him from me, so I wanted to do everything in my power to have him. I didn't care who was in my way. Friend or foe. I lowered myself so much that I even tried to kill you."

Hinata wept gently, "Gomen, Sakura."

"Don't you be sorry." Sakura said, Hinata could hear the old and cherry Sakura coming back, "I know it's alot to ask for, but Hinata, will you ever forgive me?."

Hinata lowered her groceries slowly and moved into Sakura for a hug, "Of course."

Sakura returned the hug, "Sometimes I would reflect and ask myself, didn't Naruto and Gaara have a similar fight like the one we did. And then I'd laugh it off and tell myself they did. It will take me a while to get used to you and Sasuke, but I want you to know, I will try. You perservered painfully when I was with Naruto, so I'll do my best also." Sakura explained.

Hinata pulled away from the hug slowly, "Arigatou." She said.

"Sakura-chan? Hinata?."

Both girls turned. Hinata felt Sakura tense in her arms, "Naruto?."

Sakura released herself from the hug and lowered her head, "Hey." She greeted.

"Sakura-san. Hinata-sama." Gaara greeted.

Hinata noted both were holding a bag each. If she had to guess, they were carrying ramen take-out. Sakura ignored the Kazekage and instead chose to stare into Naruto's eyes. Naruto seemed to be doing the same thing.

Hinata smiled and stepped forward with her hand outstretched. "Good to see you, Kazekage-sama."

Gaara took her hand, "Please, call me Gaara."

'Don't call him that.' She remembered Sasuke saying. She hid her hesitation with a quick smile, "Gomen, I've been raised to be formal."

Gaara sensed her hesitation but decided to brush it off, "It's fine. How are you?."

Hinata nodded, "Fine, and yourself?."

Gaara gazed passed Hinata and without her noticing smirked at a particular building, "I'm too be engaged." He said.

Hinata's eyes widened, "That's...well...incredible." She offered, smiling brightly at him. "Congratulations, Kazekage-sama."

Gaara looked back at her, "So, I hear you'll be trying out for the Jounin exam." He said, sparking up a new conversation.

"Hai, I am." She replied.

"I look forward to seeing you participate. You'll make a fine Jounin." He stated.

Hinata blushed, "Arigatou. I hope I make it."

"You will." Sakura cut in, though her eyes were still locked with Naruto's.

"Yeah." Naruto said, backing her with a smile. "It's good to see you, Sakura-chan."

Sakura felt her oldself coming back, "You too. I'd hit you but.." She held her wrists up.

Naruto chuckled alittle. "Hinata-sama? Are those your groceries?." Gaara asked.

Hinata eeped and realised the time. She turned hurriedly and picked up her groceries. She began walking back to the Uchiha compound, but not before turning her head back to say, "Gomen, It was nice to see you Kazekage-sama, Hokage-sama, Sakura-san. But I have to go home."

Gaara crossed his arms. Sakura managed a weak smile. Naruto had a blank expression. Gaara spoke up first, "Quite the statement that Uchiha is making, eh." He said.

Sakura stayed quiet.

Naruto continued to watch Hinata until she rounded a corner, "She's really his." He said. That image of Hinata's back will forever stay in Naruto's mind, perhaps even Sakura's, especially now since Hinata bore the Uchiha Clan's Symbol.

Sasuke smirked as he raced back to beat Hinata home. That damn Kazekage, he was always able to read Sasuke well. He even had the nerve to look him dead in the eye and tell him he was engaged. Sasuke picked up speed. No matter, as long as Gaara understood not to step into his territory, he was content.

'Home.' Sasuke's mind kept repeating. 'She called my place home.'

Sasuke entered through his window and landed easily, "Hinata." He whispered. Their was a rare smile on his face.

End Of Chapter

AUTHOR SAYS: YUP, I DID IT. SAKURA'S BACK IN THE PICTURE. NARUTO IS A CONFUSED GUY, ISN'T HE? I'M NOT REALLY GOOD AT LOVE TRIANGLES BUT I HOPE THIS IS OK. I MIGHT PAIR NARU/SAKU OFF, I'M NOT SURE. BUT I'LL SEE DEPENDING ON THE NEXT CHAPTERS. HOPE YOU LIKE! - R&R -