Seven Deadly: Thank you for giving me a lot of help…your review was so helpful I was able to think about my plot in a more complicated way…the ideas! Wow babe…you just save me from a lot of misconception!

Evil mastermind no.1: when I think about what you said in your review…yeah…I guess you're right. No one knows about the coup d'état of the Uchiha. Well…since this is a fan fiction let's just say the Uchiha clan tried it once…but failed. The second attempt—that's where Itachi came in. Thank you very much…I love it when I get these kinds of reviews from readers…it really fuels me up to write more. : )

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

(f) "You heard that?" Ino tensed up. "That's some kind of explosion wasn't it Shikamaru?" The Yamanaka pushed her long bangs off her face as she wheeled around, trying to see her comrade's faces. Shikamaru was frowning while Choji was removing his belt.—a sign that he was expecting to use his enlargement jutsus.

The Nara genius pointed to the north. "the noise…it's not far."

"Should we check it out Shikamaru?" Choji asked. "It sounded more than an explosion to me."

"We better…what if it was Akatsuki? It's our chance." Ino said. " We could use the advantage of surprise."

"But what should we do about them?" Choji asked, gesturing at the dead nins around. Even though they were from a different village, the Akamichi cannot help but be sympathetic. Somewhere back in their village…people who love and care for them would be waiting for their return…having no idea that death already came for them.

"We can't do anything….dead is dead Choji." Ino gave her teammate a small pat on the back. "Don't worry…If we survive this, we can go back and help them have a proper burial. We can send a message to their kage and the people waiting for them back home…besides….they are Shinobi. Death is not an unexpected thing to them…to all of us."

"But death hurts…" Choji commented, thoughts drifting back to his sensei.

Shikamaru scowled. Akatsuki…they really are wretched human beings. To take lives like this…it's just so inhumane. "Come…let's find out the reason for that sound."

"Hai."

With one last glance at the clearing, the team ran as fast as they could to the direction where they think the noise came from. Along the way, they could hear follow up explosions that just made their suspicions about some kind of fight more solid. Choji even stated that maybe…just maybe…someone was engaged in a fight.

And he was right. For when the trio stopped on their tracks, their faces were all pictures of stunned surprise at what was taking place just a few meters ahead of them. Ino's eyes widened and Shikamaru took a step back, his mouth slacked as he was taking in all information with just a swift glance of the scene.

The very Akatsuki pair that they were after…Hidan and Kakuzu, were engaged in serious fight with the very people they never thought they would see on this mission. The very people they knew very well.

Kakashi Hatake's retrieval unit. (f)

Naruto threw the rock on the water and it skipped three times before disappearing underneath the surface. He was sitting on the river bank with Sakura, taking a little rest from the jobs Tsunade was pushing down his throat. Taking another smooth pebble, he tried to make it skip it again, wanting to beat his first throw.

"Have you seen Teme today?" Naruto asked, picking up another stone and threw it again. This time, it bounced on the surface for five times.

"No…and I am not expecting to. We never see him anymore from the past months." The Haruno answered, chin resting on her arms. She has her knee pulled up, eyes staring at the small ripples on the river's surface. Taking her own pebble, she threw it. The rocked skipped and ended on the other side. "He has been drowning himself into Anbu missions lately."

"Yeah…Fishy Anbu missions."

"He's starting to scare me you know…." Sakura bit her lip. "Sasuke-kun…he's like a different person now. Naruto…I'm afraid that what happened in the past is starting all over again."

Naruto became silent, electric blue eyes staring at the water.

"The last mission we have together…did you see how he killed those bandits? It's like he was thirsty for blood…he killed those guys without restraint…. and his eyes…" The Haruno shook her head. "That crazy look in his eyes. I remember it used to look that way when he was still a rogue nin Naruto…I'm afraid Konoha is molding its own Akatsuki here."

The Uzumaki ran his calloused fingers into his blonde hair. "You know, I never realized this until a few months ago but, Sasuke really loves Hinata-chan doesn't he?" Sakura became silent so the Uzumaki continued. "I mean…He won't be acting like this if he doesn't. I know…Shino and Kiba, even Neji…they would do everything to go after her…but Sasuke's attitude is somewhat different. It's like he was trying not to show it but he looks like its tearing him from the inside…and those little things that I noticed about him in the past, you know…when Hinata was still here…It all just makes sense now."

"I know…and I just want Hinata to come back to us…and Sasuke to his old self" Sakura sighed. "I just want both of them to come back." She lowered her gaze. "I really wanted to help remove that jutsu inside Sasuke…but Tsunade-sama won't let me. She said it was too dangerous."

"And maybe Baa-chan's right."

"Maybe."

-o-

The morning was still early that the ex-Hyuga heiress decided to take a break from her early training regime. Taking her cloak off, Hinata seated herself on the soft grass. It was a relief to be alone for a moment...as much as she has grown fond of Kisame-Niisan, the man was quite loud. In the past months, the shark-man has been nice to her—unlike some of the others who are very malice-stricken—he was the one who saved her a few times when Itachi was not around.

Sometimes, she just can't imagine that the two are bloody killers. Though she has a few ideas about Kisame's reasons upon joining the organization for he explained it to her once—and though she understood—she still cannot fathom how one problem can be solved by being rebellious and creating more problems.

But these thoughts she kept to herself.

People with darkness. That's what she calls them inside her head now. In the past, she considers these guys monsters…but with her being with them for a whole year…she figured that she was wrong. These people have some human sides too, they have feelings… happiness and fears...it's just they kept drowning that human side with whatever darkness they have acquired in their pasts—until they could feel no more and act wherever that darkness was leading them.

Hinata was glad that the leader did not give her any missions yet. She really has no idea how to get out of it once they pushed her into that mess…

(f) "Ah!" She stared at the kunai blade that has pierced her arm. Leaping back, she pulled out the kunai and dropped it on the ground. Blood was starting to trickled down her hands, making her grip slippery.

Deidara smirked. "If you are going to replace Sasori and be my future partner…you have to do better than that. Don't tell me that the only art about you is that curvy form?"

Shaking the pain away, Hinata activated her Byakugan and performed the starting stance of a gentle fist. The blonde man with the metal eye patch was not giving her any slack. Heavens…he was not even controlling all of his attacks. He was just doing it heads on without any care if he was going to kill her.

"Using your kekkei gankai?" Deidara rubbed his palms together. To Hinata's surprise, she saw a tongue stick out on one of his palms, making her eyes wide. "As if that could hurt me."

Observing the scene on the training ground, Kisame looked at the Uchiha who was just staring at the blue haired girl impassively. They were sitting on the roof of the old, shabby house that serves as their temporary lodge."Oy…is it alright for Deidara to use bombs? Look…that crazy good for nothing art maniac is producing an explosive."

Itachi looked at his partner. "You seem concerned."

"Ah…hell no." The ex-Kiri nin denied, diverting his eyes from the training ground. "It's just…what if he kills her? Then our work is all for nothing damnit."

"It never bothered you before." Was the cool reply.

"Damnit Itachi! I'm not the problem here." Kisame gritted his teeth, one hand pointing at the blonde man laughing crazily at the training field.

Hinata side-stepped just in time for her to avoid being shattered into pieces by a small explosive Deidara just threw at her. Hands emitting blue chakra, she tried to make a rotation for a palm technique…maybe…just maybe…it could shield her from his explosives.

"I really hate people who use dojutsu you know." Deidara threw another explosive, making the girl yelp as it destroyed her rotation. The impact sent her flying backwards and she landed on the ground with a painful groan.

"You have no art in fighting!" The blonde Akatsuki ran to where she was, another kunai on hand. With a grin, Deidara raised the kunai above her and Hinata can do nothing but to wait in cold anticipation for the sure pain she was going to receive.

She closed her eyes…

"Damnit …can't you wait for your turn?" She heard Deidara cursed.

When Hinata opened her eyes again, she saw Itachi in front of her, body crouched in defense. The Uchiha's left hand was holding a kunai, the very weapon that now clashes with Deidara's blade—preventing the madman in mid-swing. "That's enough."

"Acting high and mighty again aren't we Uchiha?"

"No…I am with Itachi this time." It was Kisame, almost glaring at the blonde. "You are training her…not trying her murder her. She's going to be a part of the group. Keep that in mind."

Deidara smirked. "I am not going to kill her. I'm just trying to leave a mark."

As Kisame and Deidara argue—spitting curses and threats, Itachi helped the girl up. Her arm was bleeding and he could see that Hinata has some minor burns. She was gritting her teeth yet he could hear no words coming out of her mouth—making him remember that time when she was sobbing heavily but in silence.

Sometimes…he can't help but be amused with the girl. She's so fragile looking yet it was a contrast to her attitude.

"It's bleeding heavily." He stated, placing one hand on her arm—pressing the wound so it could help stop the flow. The girl's lip quivered and he saw her eyes becoming unfocused.

"I can…manage." She answered back, her voice low.

"Let me bind it." The Uchiha tore a small piece of clothe from his inside shirt and tied it around her arm. As he was doing so, he lowered his head to inspect it, eyes narrowed. After making sure that the make-shift bandage was secure, he began to inspect her eyes.

Tilting her chin up with one bloody finger, Itachi leaned closer—wondering why her eyes were starting to get unfocused. Is she going to faint? Or the bomb's impact was too much for her?

"You idiot." Kisame pushed Deidara with one hand, making the art enthusiast took an involuntary step behind him. As he did so, he accidentally bumps on Itachi—who's back was to him while tending to the girl.

Hinata's eyes widened when she felt Itachi's lips pressed on top of her nose.

(f)

"You're looking pensive."

Hinata pulled out from her thoughts and wheeled around.

It was the very person she was thinking about.

"I-Itachi-san."

He was standing behind her, face impassive—though she can see that he was looking at her intently. It's been months since the last time she saw him…and she was not expecting to see him today. Itachi's hair was a little longer than she remembered. His cloak was dirty with mud and dust— a sure sign of a lengthy travel.

"Where's Kisame?"

"I-inside…I came out here to rest a bit...get some fresh air."

"How are you?" Itachi asked, even though he was aware of everything that has happened to her in the past months that he was away. Still…he felt that he needed to ask.

"I don't know…" A faint smile formed on her lips. "Until now…I don't know if I'm in a good state or not…to tell you the truth."

-o-o-o-

The stars are twinkling and the moon is high—bathing the night with its soft gray light. In Konoha's forest grounds, it seems that the insects are matching the moon's calming effect with their night songs…filling the cold air with soft sounds, thus making the silent night a little less sad.

Somewhere within the forest, a young man was sitting on a tree branch—matching the night's pensiveness with his own. The air was playing with his dark hair, covering his eyes from view. He was wearing a Konohan Anbu uniform—Grayish vest and black high collared inside shirt. There was also an Anbu mask hanging on a strap attached to his waist.

The Anbu closed his eyes, letting past memories flood him in waves.

(f) Hinata pushed him away, one hand shot to her mouth as her eyes went wide with shock. Her hand stayed on her lips, which he knew was quivering.

The very same lips he forcibly kissed a few seconds ago.

It was dark, for they were in an alleyway—a place that was away from most people. No one really uses this way anymore because it was far from the marketplace and it was just inconvenient. The dirt path was narrow and the walls besides it are really tall.

Her eyes were still fresh with tears, sparkling at him because of the dim street light standing a meter away from where they stood.

"Y-you….j-just…" She took a step back, face red. "Sasuke…y-you."

"Yeah." He scratched his head, hot temper finally lowering. He really doesn't mean to kiss her…well…he wanted to…but not this way. It was just her tears for Naruto was so irritating it makes him angry. Why does she cry for some oblivious idiot who doesn't even realized that she likes him?

And talking about obliviousness…why can't she realize that he…he likes her? And somehow, it droves him crazy that she was the only girl that doesn't follow him around acting like a fan girl. No…because she likes someone else…Some stupid idiot who she was trying to picture out while doodling on her work files even though her drawing sucks and it looks like a freak of a cat…

Some stupid idiot who was busy trying to chase someone else…

Some stupid idiot that was not him…

And that's when he lost his cool and let his weird feelings take over his mind. And now, he knew that his actions scared her.

"Right. I kissed you." He said, pocketing his hands and clenching them into fist. Somehow, her stunned look irritates him more. Hell…if he kissed other girls, he knew they would be screaming heavens right now. "Hinata, You b—"

"I…I don't know what to say." She suddenly said, turning her back to him and ran like the wind.

He followed. Damn…the girl was fast. Leaping into the rooftops to get a better view, he spotted her running blindly into a group of locals. He saw her stumble but continued her stride like someone was running after her screaming murder or something.

Hinata gasped when she bump into someone and found her face buried into a hard vest. Looking up, she saw a masked face looking down at her. "Kakashi-sensei."

"Yo…" The copy nin gave her a smile. "Looks like you're in a hurry Hinata-chan." The much taller Shinobi placed a hand on her shoulder, studying her bewildered expression. "Is everything alright?"

"Ano…A…" The Hyuga stuttered, face flushed. "I'm just…I'm—"

"She's running away from me." Sasuke finished her words for her, landing gracefully on the ground next to them. Eyeing Kakashi's hand, he looked at the girl. "You should not just run away like that."

Kakashi's eyes jumped from one nin to another. "Oh…" The curious look suddenly turned sly. Removing his hand from the Hyuga, he gave her a little push to where the Uchiha was."Right….I better get going now. It seems like you two lovebirds needed some time alone." Kakashi's uncovered eye gave Sasuke a wink. (f)

"And now…My own brother stole her from me." Sasuke chuckled grimly, his eyes turning red. Shaking his head, he pulled the mask off from its strap and put it on, covering his face in case his glowing red orbs might alert some passing nins.

Akatsuki or not…he promised to take her back. Itachi may think that he has kept him at bay because of the jutsu he inserted inside him…but he was wrong. It's been a year but he hasn't given up yet…he's going to find out how to remove the jutsu even of it spent him years of his life.

And when he does…he's going to kill his brother and take back what was his.

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chapter…please review (please…please…please.) and gave me suggestions. Lol…my head's a little muddled lately so useful suggestions and comments are not just appreciated but loved.

Shoutouts to: washu-the-powerful, Fher34, taeko87, sabie0521 and Misao. (Thanks for the awesome reviews guys…I love you!)

See you next chap!

-crazygurl12

(Ps. did you see the 'Naruto: The last movie' characters and design sketches? OMG. Hinata's so beautiful I just might die. Older Shino and Kiba looks hot…tsk…In my personal opinion, team eight is the best looking bunch now. The changes are just so wonderful.)