It had been three days since Hinata found Itachi in the forest. Since then, she had taken him in and helped him heal from his fatal wounds. She had shown him hospitality, kindness, friendship. She had made him soup and his favorite dessert, which she pried out of him. Nobody ever made his favorite dessert besides his mother, but this woman insisted she know and make it for him. Why she wanted to make it was beyond his knowledge but it was better for him. Since arriving at her home Itachi had gotten to know Hinata and she got to learn a little bit about him. If Itachi didn't know better it seemed as though a friendship was forming.

Itachi tried to stray from any form of relationship that wasn't business related. It wasn't good for him to have close acquaintances and so he kept everyone at bay. It's not like it was a hard task to manage, what with him being an S-class criminal and all. But Hinata brought out friendliness in him that Itachi had trouble ignoring. He found himself wanting her company in the days he stayed at her home, which were very peaceful days. It had been a long time since Itachi had felt peaceful in anyone's company, he felt a bit strange at first. But he grew used to it and found he liked the silence and the casual conversations. Itachi thought he was beginning to grow soft, that this fragile but enticing young woman was rubbing off on him. Things definitely were looking up in a different perspective.

In the days spent healing, Itachi was bedridden. He couldn't get up or move about and he became restless. He tried to get up one day, and the pain that shot through his side caused Itachi's anger to boil. Hinata tried helping him back down and he snapped at her like a vicious canine, making her jump back and look at him the way everyone else did. The look of fear and confusion made Itachi feel sick and immediately he apologized, which surprised him. It was a new moment for him. The words felt foreign on his tongue but he enjoyed the satisfying taste of it.

While resting, Itachi planned his next move. His life was changing now, everything shifted from right-side-up to the right-side-down. Except, it was the opposite for Itachi. Now that he was no longer associated with the organization, Itachi's eyes were uncovered. It felt like he was hiding in the dark, dusty corner of an attic all these years and now the time had come for him to stand up and leave the attic. Everything felt new to him, but at the same time, familiar. Itachi couldn't help but feel a bit excited that his life was starting over, he even felt hopeful. Of course, not everything would be the same. As the things that he knew would not be the same shifted in his mind, Itachi lay his head on his pillow and sift through memories. Memories of simple but not so peaceful days; times filled with hope and a bright future; and even the bad days because even the bad days had good aspects in them.

There were things Itachi could do now that he had left the Akatsuki. That was why he was on the brink of death when Hinata found him. It wasn't the norm for a member to leave the Akatsuki alive. But Itachi was an exception. He didn't know why he deserved this second chance at life but he grasped it, clung on to it like it would be gone tomorrow. What Itachi planned to do was find a village to move in, start a brand new life, and maybe even revive his clan. Itachi sighed at the pain that statement caused. Silently, he looked up to the ceiling and beyond it to the heavens, sending a prayer to his mother and his father. Itachi vowed to avenge his clan, renew it from the bottom up. There was still hope.

Hinata knocked on the door then and poked her head in. He waved her in. She came in carrying a tray of food and Itachi sat up, this time it was much easier since his wound healed. He figured by tomorrow he'd be ready to leave.

"I brought you some hot soup and some rice," Hinata set the tray of food down on the table beside him.

"Thank you, Hinata."

"How are you feeling?" She asked, peering at his side," It looks like you've healed up almost entirely."

Itachi nodded. He had the bowl of soup in his hands and was blowing on his spoon, he hated when he burned his tongue. "I should be ready to leave by tomorrow morning."

Hinata suddenly straightened up and stared at him as if he had called her a bitch. "You're leaving? So soon?" Her eyes fell to the floor and she played with her fingers. "I thought you'd stay here longer than that."

Itachi swallowed, the soup slid down his throat nicely. "I cannot stay any longer. I have things I need to take care of."

Hinata suspected by 'things' he meant revenge. What else could it mean? Hinata knew revenge was imbedded in the Uchiha's blood, it drove Sasuke crazy. The fact that Itachi was setting out for revenge didn't surprise Hinata, she only wished he would stay a little longer. Her conscience questioned that statement but she ignored it. She didn't want to deal with her conscience right now.

"You're going after the Akatsuki aren't you?"

"No, I have no reason to." He sipped his soup.

This took Hinata aback. She stared at him dumbly while he sipped the soup she had prepared for him. It wasn't made from scratch; rather it was a packaged pre-made soup that required heating up. He seemed to enjoy it.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" He asked without bothering to look at her.

"What is going on, Itachi?"

"I have left the Akatsuki. There is no need for me to get revenge on them when they have done nothing to me. They have helped me, actually." He said it so matter-of-factly, so nonchalantly, like anyone could just walk away from the Akatsuki and expect to live.

Hinata's jaw dropped in shock. Itachi found it amusing how easily surprised she was. Then again, Itachi supposed that one leaving the Akatsuki was impossible or rare. Itachi considered himself a rare case.

"You left? What do you mean you left?"

"I thought the Hyuuga were a smart clan? Do you not know what left means, Hinata? Mind you, it is not the opposite of right, in this sense." Itachi couldn't resist the small jabs Hinata was setting herself up for. The flush of pink on her face when he joked with her was satisfying, amusing. Never had he joked about someone or something with the intention of laughing. Now that he was doing it, he saw that sarcasm was funny and quite enjoyed this woman's incredulous expressions.

"Why did you leave?" Hinata asked after finally overcoming her momentary setback.

"Because I wanted to."

"And you were nearly killed for it? Why would you leave if you would be beaten so badly?" Hinata couldn't imagine going through such a horrible process just to leave something you were always a part of.

"Things could be worse, Hinata. Remember that."

Itachi finished his soup and set the empty bowl back on the tray. He moved on to the steaming bowl of rice. He began to eat small increments, content. He was aware of how confused Hinata was and understood how many questions she had. He expected more to come from her but she remained silent. When he looked at her, Hinata had a look of admiration on her face.

"That is so good to hear, Itachi!" Caught off guard by both her look of admiration and her words, Itachi wasn't prepared for a hug. Hinata dove in and locked her arms around Itachi's neck in a friendly, congratulatory way. His rice was pinned against his chest, his chopsticks fallen on the bed. Itachi sat there, stunned like a fly in a flytrap, as Hinata embraced him. Her hair was soft against his cheek, softer than any woman's hair should ever be. It smelled of coconuts and the ocean. He inhaled the scent, letting it coax his senses. This was something new to Itachi. This he was not used to. Itachi was confused at this interaction, oblivious as to why this woman was hugging him. But despite that, he let his free hand fall on Hinata's back.

Things were changing already.

Author's Note- I think you guys are going to like my next chapter. I wrote it and it made me feel giddy. Hehe.