A link; finally she found a link to him. Uchiha Shisui.
He was going to be the one to find her long lost masked boy. He was her chance.
She was taken back when she saw him shirtless yes, but she did see something she liked; the spiral tattoo on his left arm. Uchiha Shisui is in the ANBU. Assuming that he is about the same age as Ken, he might actually know him. He was the one. He was the link.

Despite what it may look like though she actually really did like being friends with the two Uchihas. She was starting to regret not befriending the Uchihas in the Academy; but she didn't really befriend anybody at the time, she was too shy. More eager than ever now she waited for evening to come. She had so many questions, yet she couldn't just throw them at him. What would she say if he asked why? She never did want anyone to know about him or how she felt about him.
She never told anyone about Ken. Not even her team mates, not even Hiroki.
So how is she going to ask a person she just met about him? Would she be able to?
She decided, it would take some time. She was going to train with said Uchiha, and he seems just as nice as Itachi, although he is a little loose with his body.
For now she'd just let things go with the flow, if it was meant to be... it would happen, right?

"Had enough Sasuke?"
Sasuke kept panting; just two hours with his brother and he was out of breath.
He hated it. He hated the fact that he was weaker than someone else, be it his own brother. He looked up felt his blood boil, his brother looked like didn't even break a sweat. Yes, he was elder, but the pompous Uchiha still could not accept the fact. He was always top in the class when it came to studies. When it came to shinobi skills, he would rank top as well.
Through the years, that got to his head. He was branded as the boy who had everything; the brains the brawn, the looks. Personality and morality obviously wasn't listed on everything though.
He hated it, he hated feeling weaker than someone. He hated it and yet... He just couldn't stand up.
"Sasuke," Itachi sighed. "Come, let's get back home. We'll continue tomorrow."
"N-no," Sasuke said dryly.
"One more – "Sasuke jerked in pain as he tried to stand up. Instead he ended up falling to his knees.
Itachi was beginning to think that agreeing to train the Hyuuga was a bad idea.
He couldn't stand seeing his younger brother in pain, he knows he'll feel the same for the girl. But it would be too late to back out now.
"Sasuke! Don't be stubborn." Itachi approached his younger brother and put a hand around his neck. "You've done enough. You're already at Chunin level right now."
He helped the boy up and supported him as they headed back home.
"You have to stop pushing yourself, Sasuke."
"I can't."
"Why not?" Itachi furrowed his eyebrows, concerned for his little brother.
"I... am not good enough," Sasuke gripped his brother's shoulder.
"I am not as good as you... I can't stop until I am."
"Sasuke, get a hold of yourself. You are my younger brother, of course you're not – "
"You became Chunin when you were ten, by the time you were my age you were a Jounin and at thirteen you became an ANBU captain." Itachi kept silent.
He sort of understood where his brother was coming from. It wasn't nice being overshadowed, but it didn't mean that he should basically kill himself training trying to surpass him.
"Sasuke,"
"What?" Sasuke scowled, irritated.
"Do you know why I wanted to become stronger?"
"Yeah, to make father and mother proud, to make the clan proud, lots of reasons."
"Yes, that is partly true. But the reason I truly wanted to become strong, was to protect you." Itachi smiled, he was honest about it.
He wasn't the usual stereotype hero, he wasn't perfect. Not many people saw him as a kind, loving, gentle person. Though he was, he didn't show it. He didn't know how to, or maybe he was scared to.
No one could truly understand the depth of a person, the same way Itachi knew he couldn't fully understand his younger brother. But he wanted him to know; he loved him and cared for him more than anything. He would give his life for him and he would leave everything for him.
Sasuke didn't seem to react in anyway though; his face still looked emotionless. It was as if he didn't get the message or he didn't actually care. With a sigh, Itachi just kept walking.
What I wouldn't give to go back in time...
To the days when his brother admired him for every single thing he did, to the days where sibling rivalry didn't exist. Those were the days they were happiest.

I'll get them something nice for agreeing to train me.
Hinata shoved a few coins in to her pocket, hoping to find just the right thing for the pair.
This week was going to be a tough week for her. She would have to spend as much time as she can with the Uchihas'. Next week the two would be on missions, and she'd have to train on her own for the exams. One week seemed like so little time, but as long as she got the chance it was good enough for her. The disturbing part was they'd have to train at the field that she used to train in; where she was captured by the Cloud Ninjas. She gulped.
It's going to be fine. Shisui- san was an ANBU shinobi and Itachi-kun is just as skilled. I am safe.
She grabbed her pack and rushed through the hall, greeting those who passed by. She came to a stop the moment she spotted her father, walking in the opposite direction; eyes closed, hands folded looking as calm and collected as ever.
She began, walking at a slower pace and bowed a few steps away from actually passing her father.
"G-good e-evening... f-father."
He responded with a nod, not even glancing once at his eldest daughter.
She was just glad he didn't stop her for any reason.

There weren't many nice things you could get for an Uchiha. Food? You can't tell what they like.
Key chains? They'd spit. Fluffy stuff? They'd burn it.
Maybe something cute but at the same time not cute. It has to have meaning but not the wrong kind of meaning. Something that wouldn't be a burden to keep... Flowers maybe?
And she had a friend who works at a flower shop. Flowers it is then!
Ino was a pro when it comes to flowers. Hinata spent a lot of time at the compound garden; she was the one who sat there for hours trying to make it look pretty. So she did know a thing or two about flowers. But it would probably be best if she left the decision making to Ino.
"Hinata!" Ino waved. The timid girl smiled at her hyper friend as she walked to the counter.
"Gosh, I rarely see you around here nowadays! I thought you'd be training for the Chunin exams or something!"
"W-Well I am. I-I am going to t-train w-with a few friends l-later a-and I thought I-I'd get them a l-little thank you g-gift."
"Oh! Well you've come to the right place! So what kind of flowers do you want?"
Hinata put a finger on her lip and thought. Itachi and Shisui... Handsome... *cue blush* ... Ah!
"Roses!" Ino smiled.
"Hm, a thank you gift huh?" Ino nodded in thought.
"Come," She gestured to her friend to follow her. Hinata trailed behind the ex-blonde, watching her long black hair sway along with her movements. She wondered how her father reacted when she dyed her hair black though.
"Here it is." Hinata shook her head and diverted her attention to the flowers in Ino's hand.
"Pretty..." Ino smiled.
"Roses of different colours carry different meanings." Hinata nodded, listening attentively.
"These are deep pink roses, and they simply mean 'thank you'." Ino winked.
"So how many do you want?"
"U-Um... a b-bouquet of it." They way she said it sounded more like a question than a statement.
Ino couldn't help but giggle at her odd friend.
"Hm, I'll pack a dozen okay?" Hinata nodded. For the time being all she was worried about was the price. They were beautiful roses; that must mean they cost a lot right?
I only have 30 silver coins...
"Hinata,"
"Hm?"
"Have you ever been in love?" Hinata flinched. Looking down at her feet, she nodded.
"Eh? Who? Who?" The Hyuuga heiress started poking her fingers together.
"W-Well... I d-don't r-really know who h-he is... I-I just k-know t-that I..."Hinata stopped and Ino leaned back, nodding as if she understood.
"Ahh, well like I said before, the colour represents its meaning. And well red roses represents love."
Hinata nodded, her face steadily turning red.
"Maybe one day, I can give them to Gai- sensei." Ino sighed. Ah right, the girl has had a crush on that bushy browed teacher ever since the Academy days. That was the whole reason behind the hair dying thing. Hinata assumed it was also why she started wearing spandex when she trained.
She fidgeted as Ino prepared the flowers, beautifying them, cutting the stems and plucking out some of the leaves, spraying some odd smelling liquid on to the flowers to make them last longer.
"Okay! All set!" Ino put her hands on her hips; judging by the look on her face she's obviously proud of her handiwork.
"Mm, h-how m-much?"
"Aww its usually 36 silver coins..."
What?!
"But for you, Hinata it's on the house!"
"Wh-what? F-Free?"
Ino smiled and nodded.
"N-no! I c-can't do t-that!" She emptied her pocket and placed the silver coins on the counter.
"I-I only have t-thirty c-coins at the moment. B-but I'll p-pay the rest l-later! T-thank you Ino – Chan!"
She hurried to the exit.
"Hinata!" Ino exclaimed, wanting to refuse the money.
She turned, facing Ino, she bowed.
"S-Sorry for the i-inconvenience."
"No wait – Hinata!"
Despite her looks, she was a fast runner.

"No taking off your shirt this time."
"Wha – why?! Afraid I am going to outshine you?"
Itachi sighed. "No, I am afraid of you scarring the girl."
"Hehe, if anything I bet she's just enjoying the view. I should flex the next time; give her more of a show." He had no idea how much Itachi's hand itched to punch him in the face.
Its okay, you can get through this. Just resist. Temper, temper Itachi.
"I am sure this time she'd like come on to me." Shisui winked
Inhale, exhale. Count to ten. Do something, just don't kill him.
Two heads turned upon hearing a rustling noise in the bushes. The familiar chakra tipped it off the source. The head that popped out sneaking a peek at the two confirmed it.
"Hinata-san, he's fully dressed don't worry." She blushed and went back to hiding.
A sigh from Itachi and a cheeky smile from Shisui.
"Hinata-san, it's getting late we have to train you remember?"
Slowly the tiny girl made an appearance, approaching the two with her hands behind her back; hiding something.
Both boys tilted their heads, wondering what the Hyuuga girl was hiding.
"Hinata-san?"
"Hinata-Chan?" The two said in sync.
She turned away, avoiding eye contact leaving the two boys even more curious.
"I-I..." She shook her head and quickly held out the bouquet. Face turning redder by the second.
"I-I – "
"Hinata-Chan!" Shisui cried making Hinata jump.
"I love you too!"
"E-Eh?!"
Itachi glared, trying his best to not activate his Sharingan.
"Shisui, what are you talking about?" Itachi sighed, trying to sound bored.
"Roses! They mean I love you right?"
WHAT?
"Shi—Shisui –san!"
"I mean I didn't expect it to be this fast but hey, I ain't complaining!"
"Shisui-san!" The girl squealed.
"Heh?" Shisui raised a brow.
What did Ino-Chan say again? Ah, right...
"D-Different c-coloured r-roses carry d-different meanings..." She raised the bouquet as she spoke.
"D-deep p-pink m-means 'T-T-Thank you'..."
Itachi could feel his body relax. Even he thought all roses meant 'I love you' and got a bit scared.
It was stupid of me to think that she'd like Shisui...
"So... I-I bought these..."
"For who?" Shisui asked.
"E-Eh?"
"Yeah, I mean you only have one bouquet."
One bouquet?
"I-Itac-"
Itachi smiled inwardly. Shisui furrowed his eyebrows.
"Sh-Shi"
Itachi furrowed his eyebrows. Shisui grinned.
"I w-was p-planning to s-separate them..."
Brows raised.
"S-six for I-Itachi-kun and six f-for S-Shisui-san."
"Hinata-Chan, I told you to call me Shisui-Chan!" Shisui pleaded.
"H-huh?"
"We can talk about that later, now we train."
Hinata nodded in approval... Though something didn't seem quite right. She kept looking from left, to right, up and down; like she was paranoid, scared for some reason. Itachi frowned, worried about the girl. It didn't take long for him to realize the reason behind her fear; She was kidnapped here.
He understood, and he wanted to comfort her but he couldn't.
Before the forehead protector incident, Uchiha Itachi didn't know her. She didn't even tell him about what had happened, maybe she just didn't want to remember.
He had no choice, if they wanted to train it had to be here and not the training ground where they usually meet; especially since they're meeting up earlier than usual. Plus now since the Chunin exams are getting closer, that training ground will probably be in use.
He didn't want to just throw questions at her and make her more uncomfortable; so he kept quiet.
But knowing Shisui...
"Hinata-Chan? What's the matter?"
The girl's eyes widened. Of course he'd notice, she's practically shivering!
"W-Well, I-I am kind o-of nervous b-because of t-the training..." She lied.
"S-Shisui-senpai a-and I-Itachi s-senpai are s-strong s-so..."
"Ohh! Senpai huh? Yeah that sounds nice!" Hinata smiled relieved that she managed to divert his attention.
"Hear that Itachi? Senpai!" Shisui snickered.
"Shut up. Let's not waste the girl's time."
It does sound pretty cute when she says it. Oh lord, what's happening to me?
He hated feeling like a some guy out of a sappy romantic comedy. Right now, he has to focus on training Hinata just like how he trained his brother. No half heartedness. If she wants to train with him, she trains the hard way!
But he has a feeling it's going to be a tad more difficult for him than it's going to be for her...

The two really didn't hold back despite their attachment to the girl (Although they did have to tone down the physical strength of the attacks).
She screamed, fell, slammed in to trees, bled, cried. Itachi didn't know how he was going to live through a week of this. Though she was a fast learner. She wasn't born with natural talents but she worked hard and she did learn quite fast. Her gentle fist style didn't require her to use too much strength; the gentle fist leans more towards precision and chakra control. So Itachi wasn't so worried about her strength. What the two boys were worried about was her speed.
Her defenses were good, but because she was slow her evasiveness is also affected.
The two Uchihas, saw both her good and bad traits. All she saw was the bad. She kept feeling annoyed with herself; weak, pathetic.
The Uchihas must feel disgusted, she thought. So she kept on trying, trying and trying.
But she always ended up on the floor, injured.
"Okay, that's it I don't think she can take anymore." Itachi didn't think he could take it anymore either. Each time she took a hit, each time she fell flat on the ground he felt pain.
Many times Shisui considered stopping, but he knew she wouldn't allow it. She was a stubborn girl, she hated to give up; and he admired her for it.
The two saw her cringe as she tried getting on her feet and both hurried to help her.
"You alright?" Shisui put her left arm around his neck and Itachi did the same with her right.
They lifted her up and carried her to and placed her against one of the trees. She looked totally out of it. Towards the end of the training her Gentle Fist looked more like the Drunken Rabbit Fist and her shuriken throwing was totally off. The two boys just stared at the poor thing.
"One week huh?"
"Yeah."
"Hopefully she backs out," Shisui scratched his head.
"Hn."
"I-I a-am s-sorry..." She muttered.
The two boys looked at each other, exchanging looks.
Shisui raised a brow and his lips were forming a thin line. 'I thought we were supposed to apologize?"
Itachi looked at his best friend as though he understood and shrugged. 'I don't know.'
"Don't worry Hinata-Chan, you're getting there!" Shisui encouraged.
Itachi nodded. "You're a fast learner, Hinata-san."
Hinata stared at her lap.
They're just saying this because they don't want to hurt me...
The two boys sat beside her, Shisui a little closer of of course.
"Ne, Hinata-Chan just forget about training now okay? We have the whole week to train."
"Mm."Right now the girl was already half asleep. Her eyes, blinking constantly trying to keep awake.

I can't. I can't do it. I can't hurt her. I am supposed to be protecting her!
Itachi's thoughts were disrupted the moment he felt something drop on his shoulder.
He turned to find a very adorable sleepy head of Hinata on his shoulder. Her soft cheek pressed against his shoulder. She looked so peaceful, just like that time. He almost wanted to put his arm around her and secure her. He'd hold her and he'd never let go. Then he looked at Shisui; who looked like he practically wanted to bite his head off. So instead he just slid closer to her, giving her more support.
"Sleepy." She whispered.
"Hn."
"Itachi-kun."
"Hm?"
"You have nice shoulders."
I knew you were going to say that.