-flashbacks are written in italics with the "(f)" mark on the beginning and the end.

-To those who don't like the story…just skip it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

Chapter Six

(f) Hinata gently placed the small bouquet of primrose and dandelions she bought from the Yamanaka flower shop earlier on Kurenai Yuhi's desk. Her ruby-eyed instructor was lying on her bed, face pale yet there was a big smile on her lips.

"Sensei…" Hinata looked around the older jounin's room, for she was inside her apartment right now. She heard that Kurenai was sick so she decided to pay her a visit. She was on day off anyway and she have nothing else to do.

Kurenai clicked her tongue. "We are of the same rank now Hinata…no need to call me sensei."

"No. You're still my mentor Kurenai-sensei. Nothing…not even ranks could change that." Hinata answered, piling used eating utensils on the tray. There were noodle cups and soup bowls, also a lot of…candies? Her usually neat desk was piled with candy wrappers and chocolate foils.

"I've been craving sweets lately." The woman answered and her face guilty… yet there was a mischievous glint on her eyes. Looking at her trusted student, she patted the part of the bed next to her. "Hinata…come sit."

"Ano…I will wash your dishes first…"

The raven haired Yuhi waved a hand dismissively. "Leave the dishes…I need to tell you something." Patting the spot again, but with little patience this time, she gestured for her to sit. "Hinata…"

The heiress obeyed, not wanting her teacher to strain herself more. "Hai?"

When Hinata was seated, she was surprised when Kurenai grabbed her hands and pulled her into a bear hug. "Oh Hina-chan! I really don't want to spread this news yet but I really want you to know!" Letting the puzzled girl go, the much older woman grinned from ear to ear. "Asuma wanted it to be a surprise but…I guess you're an exception since I already picked you to be the godmother…"

"G-godmother? What do you mean?" It made Hinata confused all the more. The calm, collected, and cool teacher she once knew have suddenly turned into a giggly girl in front of her very eyes. Did something come up?

"Hinata…" Kurenai smiled. "I'm pregnant with Asuma's child." (f)

Itachi saw the Hyuga's face became blank and frozen. The moment Zetsu mentioned something about Konoha, his gaze glued on her, observing her every move.

Then he saw her eyes flickered back to life.

The Uchiha side-stepped, very well aware of her next move. He was very good on predicting a person's action and the Hyuga was not an exception. He felt her chakra surge to her palms—surprisingly strong for a girl so weak—and her stance became sure footed.

Hinata felt her chest being crushed as the information about Asuma's death sank. The jounin was the soon to-be-husband of her beloved sensei, Kurenai…

And the soon-to-be father of their unborn child.

At the moment, all Hinata wanted was to hit someone very, very, hard.

And her eyes scanned for the nearest target. In her case, it was Uchiha Itachi for he was just a step away from her. In normal days, she would think herself mad just for attacking an Akatsuki member…not to mention that it was the member who killed hundreds of his fellow sharingan users in just one night.

Yeah…she's mad alright.

With speed that matches the blink of an eye, she lunged forward, hands wrapped with bluish chakra. For a second, she thought that she could hit a mark, but the man vanished just as she was about to hit him on the chest. She knew it was not some kind of trick…the Uchiha was just faster than her.

Kisame watched with surprise as the girl tried to attack his partner. At first, his fish-like eyes widened, and then it was replaced with amusement as he realized he was going to enjoy the live show just a meter from where he stood. Even the group spy, Zetsu, became silent and watched with a stupid grin on his face.

Deciding to let Itachi have a little fun, Kisame took a step back—not wanting to interrupt—then crossed his arms just as a giant white bird became visible on the sky. It was high up in the clouds, so the ex-Kiri nin was not sure if it was his fellow Akatsuki member or if someone was riding at the back of the bird at all.

Itachi back-stepped again, avoiding a chakra-wrapped hand from hitting his face.

Hyuga Hinata wheeled around, a little confused at how the Uchiha can move so fast without any effort. Kicking her feet on the soil, she faked a side stepped then lunged again as she saw him materialized next to her by the side of her eyes.

Even with blinding speed, Hinata knew he cannot escape now. He was a second too late.

And she was right. Her fist landed on his chest...but was stunned when Itachi's body turned into a flock of crows, startling her thus making her yelp, and when she took a step back, Hinata gasp when she bump into a body…or to be more precise, into the real Itachi's chest.

"Are you done now?" His voice was low, lacking of any emotion yet it sent her chills.

Hinata wheeled around, not wanting to give up on her assault. She raised her fist again but the older Uchiha grabbed it without effort, avoiding the burning chakra around it so that it won't burn his skin. Itachi smirked, pulling her to him as his other hand grabbed the back of her neck—forcing her to look at his red eyes.

Kisame chuckled as a giant bird landed behind him, a blonde male on its back. "Show's over." Looking behind, he studied the newly arrived blonde. "Deidara…"

Hinata tried to wriggle herself free from the strong man's hold, still fuming and seething. "Traitor." She hissed at Itachi. "You're a traitor."

"I know." He told her, his voice low that Hinata doubted if Kisame or the newly arrived freak could hear. As his tomoe spun, he bent his head down so that she could see his sharingan clearly. "Now sleep."

Hinata felt the power of Itachi's dojutso enveloped her senses, making her fall into Itachi's arms in an unnatural slumber.

"Feisty." Kisame commented. "Hey Itachi…our ride's here." He pointed at the bird. If one would look closely, the bird was not actually a real bird. It looks like a giant molded clay—a giant molded clay which has the ability to move and follow directions.

Itachi slung the unconscious girl on his shoulder, just like the way he carried her the night she was abducted, though he could notice that she was lighter in weight now, compared to the first time.

There was a slight breeze, and it blew some of Hinata's blue hair on his face.

She smells of lilacs…his late mother's favorite flower.

-o-o-o-

Sasuke growled behind his mask and Sakura bit her lip. They were on their way to a feudal estate, a day's travel from the outskirts of Konoha's territory. Upon arriving there, they need to escort a young feudal heiress to another feudal territory for a marriage pact. It's a B-class…but a mission nonetheless.

She knew this mission was not supposed to happen if Sasuke did not barge into the Lady Tsunade's room, demanding some sort of permission to leave with the retrieval unit for Hyuga Hinata. Sakura suspects that Tsunade did it on purpose just to let Sasuke avoid the chance to confront his older brother, Itachi.

And once the Hokage gave the orders, no Shinobi can say no…even if it was against his will.

Everyone knows that the Uchiha brothers are going to settle things to the death…and somehow, the pink haired kunoichi was grateful that the Hokage was caring enough to device this mission. Sakura was worried about Hinata's safety already…worrying about Sasuke too would make her lose her mind in no time.

Stealing a look at the Anbu with her, Sakura let a memory play inside her head over and over again. If she's the one to choose, she would prefer to forget the 'memory' once and for all…but in times like this, it would just keep on messing with her mind.

It's breaking her heart…she may not say it out loud, but it's painful.

(f) "Naruto…baka." Sakura muttered as she walked alone on a dark alley. The Uzumaki has promised to treat her some ramen for tonight and told her to meet him at seven straight in front of Ichiraku's ramen house.

But where did he go now?

Naruto came before she arrived, standing in front of the ramen house looking nervous and sweaty. When she asked him what the problem was, he dropped the bunch of flowers with a small pack of chocolate hearts and ran like he was being chased by some bloody killer.

And now she found herself looking for the Uzumaki idiot.

"Sasuke-kun…s-stop dragging me." A small voice said. "Sasuke-kun…"

Sakura stopped on her tracks and looked around. She saw no one so she decided to lean her right ear on the wooden wall beside her, trying to figure out if the voice came from the other side. She was sure it was Hinata's voice…there was no mistaking it.

And Sasuke was dragging her? What are they doing together?

"Sasuke-kun…say something." Another plea.

The Haruno's eyes widened. She was right…they were just in the opposite side of the wooden wall. Heart pounding and head reeling with suspicions, Sakura decided to listen to whatever the conversation was about, and why Hinata and Sasuke has to be together in a dark alley where no one usually goes.

There was a force on the wall like someone was being pushed into it, followed by a small gasped that sounds like Hinata. "Sasuke-kun…y-you're scaring me…"

"Why do you keep following that damn idiot?" A growl. Sakura's hand shot to her lips to cover her own sound of surprise. It was Sasuke alright…she loved that voice very much not to recognize it. "Did you see him carry those flowers around? He likes Sakura…not you."

There was a gasp again, but this time, it was more of a painful sound. "I…I know he likes Sakura-chan."

"Hn."

"I know that…and I did not mean for you to see me—"

"To see you crying in a dark alley like a helpless girl? You're a jounin Hinata….act like it."

There was a few seconds of silence, and Sakura wondered if they already left.

"B-But what is it to you?" It was Hinata, her voice sounded defiant yet there was a quiver into it. "Gomenasai Sasuke-kun…but I can manage my one sided feelings for N-Naruto-kun…y-you don't need to concern your—uhmpp." Hinata's words were interrupted, and Sakura just found a small hole to peep into.

And what she saw tore her heart into a thousand pieces.

Hinata's back was to the wall, Sasuke's body keeping her on place as his lips pressed on hers with obvious desire. The Hyuga's hand shot up but the Uchiha grabbed her wrist and placed them firmly behind her.

Sakura doesn't need to see more.

Dropping Naruto's flowers and sweets on the ground, she ran away with tears on her eyes. (f)

Blinking, Sakura returned back to the present. It happened a few months ago and she never told a soul. Maybe because she doesn't want to let anyone know of Sasuke's attraction with her friend?

Maybe because she was still hoping that he would love her back?

"I'm messed up." She muttered and looked at the tall Anbu. "We are all messed up."

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chapter. Please review :P

I don't edit and my English is not perfect…so please understand if there are errors in my grammar.

-crazygurl12