Hello all, I am sincerely sorry that I had not been updating. As you can see I am alive. These past few months had been difficult as I had been involved in an incident that required me to take some time away to focus on my mental health and emotional state so for a long while, I did not have the energy or motivation to write but I can now so please don't worry about me, I am doing much better than before.

Hope you enjoy the chapter and I will update again as soon as I can :)

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The Next Morning

Sasuke awoke in the middle of an alley, all that she could remember from last night was that she fell while she was desperately trying to keep up with Naruto and Hinata.

Hinata…

How is she alive?

Wasn't she supposed to be dead?

Question after question kept appearing in Sasuke's mind, demanding to be answered and it made Sasuke's head hurt.

What the bloody hell happened?!

At The Cemetery

Tsunade felt for them, she really did.

Hinata was crying into Naruto's shoulder and Naruto was trying his best to keep his poker face but Tsunade knew that no amount of great acting could ever mask true grief. Not even her two best operatives.

The blonde Hokage turned to see her long-time apprentice with her eyes closed and murmuring a prayer underneath her breath. Even though Shizune didn't know Sai, it was kind of her to do something like that. Tsunade smiles fondly at the short-haired woman before turning her attention back to the teens.

Itachi, Naruto, Hinata and Sai were all a part of Team Weasel who all led double lives after their disbandment. Itachi became a double agent, reporting in for Akatsuki activities to Konoha after his forced mission to take out his clan. Naruto served as the protector of the Uchiha heir and had to play a silly, clumsy and loud knucklehead as his cover. Hinata had to become a stuttering, shy, socially awkward individual while undercover in order to keep tabs on the most promising tracker team Konoha could produce. Lastly, Sai had to go into ANBU Root to gather intel but in doing so, Sai had to undergo severe psychological and physical training under Danzo's watchful eyes.

However, that wasn't the case anymore; Itachi had told Hinata the truth and wanted a life together with her, Naruto had cracked his mask ever since bringing back Sasuke thus showing the other genin that Naruto was much more than some airhead and Hinata had cracked her mask as well since her father disowned her and swapped out her Hyuuga-born eyes with someone's else's thus making it known that Hinata had talents in the ninja arts other than the Gentle Fist. But Hinata had enough of that and faked her death so that she could leave and be with Itachi; it was a decision Tsunade could not hold against her for, especially since she knew the truth now. As for Sai, he blew himself up along with Danzo and what was worse; Hinata and Naruto had tracked him down just in time to see it all happen. She could not imagine what it was like to see a friend they had known for years, give up their life like that and only because he thought the girl he was in love was already dead and he wanted to join her.

It was all very depressing and very heart-wrenching to think about.

Suddenly, Tsunade felt her hand in hers and saw Shizune motioning to her that it was time to leave for Danzo's funeral. After the two women and two secret genins exchanged silent goodbyes, Tsunade and Shizune left quietly, leaving the two pre-teens to mourn for the death of their friend.

Elsewhere

"Uchiha, Hinata died. We all saw her body." Shino reminded the distressed kunoichi.

The whole Konoha 12 minus Hinata and Naruto of course, were all their go-to place to hang out but Sasuke had other ideas; telling her fellow nin what she saw last night.

Kiba frowned, hearing all this; on one hand Sasuke might have just been delusional but on the other hand what if what she saw was actually true?

But then why would Naruto be with Hinata and why didn't they come to us?

"I am telling you that I saw Hinata! She was alive and running!"

Neji sighed deeply, he had enough of this nonsense.

"Fine, I'll use my Byakugan but if what you say turns out to be untrue, you're buying our dinner."

Before Sasuke could object, Neji had activated his doujutsu and it didn't take long for him to see Naruto and someone else very familiar.

"N-no way…"

Everyone held their breath, watching in anticipation to hear what he had to say.

"I see her...she's not dead and she is indeed with Naruto."

"Where?" Tenten asks sharply.

"The cemetery."

It didn't take long for the genins to race off, determined to find out the truth behind this mystery.

At The Cemetery

Hinata sighed deeply, resting her head on Naruto's lap who was brushing at her short midnight blue hair with his calloused fingers.

"I'm pretty sure Sai wouldn't want us to be like this." he says softly.

Hinata sniffled, "How could we not be like this Naru? He was our brother and he died right in front of us."

"He died for Konoha Hinata...it's an h-honorable way to die for a ninja."

Hinata shook her head violently and sat up, she heard the crack in her friend's voice, "You and I both know the fucking truth. He died because he thought I was dead...he l-loved me."

Naruto acted quickly, pulling Hinata close to him by her waist, burying his face in her neck as she started to cry again, "It's all my f-fault."

"No, it's not."

"Yes it is!"

Hinata covered her mouth, crying harder. She hasn't cried this hard since the time her father swapped out her eyes and she was hospitalized.

"Hina, I would have done the same."

Naruto did not see it coming, his friend had turned around and slapped him hard across the face in a blink of an eye.

"Don't you dare Namizake! Don't you dare fucking say that! I don't want that! You have so much to live for! Don't you ever throw away your life for me! You are my best friend! I love you so much and I would rather die alone and unhappy than have you join me!"

Naruto got up and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her, "How can you say that?! I love you just as much Hime! I always have and always will! We feel the same for one another and we will survive as long as we have each other!"

Hinata says nothing and Naruto gently brushes away her tears as they look into each other eyes.

They loved each other deeply. There were there for each other in the darkest times and the brightest of moments. They had each others back throughout everything; Hinata's abuse from her father, Naruto's brutal childhood, Itachi's betrayal and now, they will hold each others hands as they go through the mourning of the loss of their friend, Sai.

Suddenly, the two ninjas snaps out of it hearing familiar faint canine barks.

"Akamaru" Hinata whispers.

Naruto nods, helping the violet-eyed girl to her feet.

"We need to get out of here."

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A review would be most appreciated! Hope you liked the chapter! ^^