Oh my glob. Naruto just ended. My baby Hinata is now a mother of two children! (Congratulations to the new Mrs. Uzumaki…she really deserves to be happy.) And hey…Sakura ended with Sasuke (What can you say about that? I am a little disappointed about that part. SasuSaku fans…don't hate me please. It's just my opinion.)

I am feeling a little rebellious right now. Lol… so I'm planning to write a one shot about SasuHina in a married life. If a lot of readers will like it…who knows….it might turn into a long story. : )

Sorry for being late in updating…but I'm now back on track!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

Chapter Twenty Seven

Hinata looked at Itachi as she seated herself on the side of the bed. The man has his arms crossed, face looking pensive as always. They are on the same room right now—As Pein ordered—and honestly, Hinata was really not that awkward around the Uchiha. In the Akatsuki, he and Kisame were those members who she can trust not to do anything perverted to her.

And she considers Itachi's kiss more of an act, though she tends to blush every time she remembers it. Weirdly, she can still feel the warmth of his lips against her own, making her reprimand herself mentally for such thoughts…And she already reprimanded herself a lot of times—making her wonder what the hell was wrong with her.

Itachi took off his cloak, folded it, and then placed it on the floor. His netted shirt then followed. Hinata blink when she saw his naked upper half then pretended not to see. She tried to focus her gaze on the bed's old mattress instead. It was a little dusty, so she began to pat it with her hands.

"Hinata…" It was Itachi.

"Y-yes?" She squeaked. She was wrong. She was feeling awkward alright—the moment he took off his shirt. Slowly moving her head to the man's direction, she swallowed the uneasiness then looked at him. She doesn't want Itachi to suspect that something was wrong…

Then felt rather foolish.

Itachi was already wearing a different shirt. Obviously, he took off his upper garment in order to put on a fresh one. It was a black long sleeved shirt with a high collar that reaches up to his chin. "You sleep on the bed. I'll take the floor."

"Y-you can use the bed. I'll be alright on the floor." She offered.

"No." Itachi replied simply.

Before Hinata could say anything, there was a loud banging on the door, followed by a very strong surge of powerful chakra. When he felt it, Itachi smirked. He knew it was Kisame…and the shark man obviously did not mask his chakra signature on purpose.

He exchanged looks with Hinata, who gave him a weak smile and a shrug. "It's Kisame-Nii." Hinata stood up from the bed and walked to the door. When she opened it, Kisame's large figure loomed over her. "K-Kisame-niisan."

Instead of talking to Hinata, Kisame pointed one blue finger at the Uchiha. "Lovers or not. One touch and I'm going to kill you."

"Nii-san!"

"She's my lover." Itachi said calmly.

"She's too…innocent to be played and used Itachi. Why don't you go and pay some willing whores if you want sex?" Hinata flinched at the strong words that are coming out of Kisame's mouth. She was actually feeling a little guilty about hiding the truth to Kisame…after all—the man treats her like a real sister.

"Why are you suddenly so gallant?" The Uchiha asked, his expression the total opposite of Kisame's. "It's Pein's orders Kisame…and I know you never question his orders. And Hinata is Akatsuki…she can look after herself."

"I don't question Pein's orders nor I underestimate Hinata's abilities and skill…But also remember that I joined this organization because I wanted to change the wrongs of the Shinobi world…and now, I realized that protecting this girl is the first step in that path of change." Kisame looked at Hinata. "If something wrong happens…scream Hinata-chan."

Hinata doesn't know what to say. A part of her was grateful that she found a protector in Kisame…but the other part of her was confused. First it was Itachi's real intentions in joining the Akatsuki…and now Kisame's ideals for a better Shinobi world.

Slowly, her eyes are being opened by the dark side of the Shinobi world. It even makes her question her ideals now… It seems that she was really naïve and things around are not really what they seem to be.

"Kisame-Nii."

"Just scream…" Kisame said again, this time, he patted her on the head. Giving Itachi one last warning glare, he took off and disappeared from Hinata's sight.

Itachi sighed. Kisame being protected of Hinata was something that he really did not expect to happen in the start. If anything, he once thought that Kisame might be the first one to something bad to the Hyuga. "He…cares for you."

Hinata closed the door. "I care for him too."

"He treats you as his second chance." Itachi explained. "He killed his comrades for the sake of a mission once—he was trying to redeem himself by protecting you." He watched as the Hyuga lowered her eyes. She has changed a lot since the time that she was abducted. Her innocent face was now tinted with a grim aura that all members of the Akatsuki possessed.

He knew it was because she was more aware of the things that were happening around her…and that she was not living in a world that only tells her about the "good guys" point of view—she was now living in the world of the so called "bad guys", and learning the reasons behind their actions.

"I have a lot of questions…" Hinata murmured as she sat beside him. "A lot…"

"I have some of the answers…but you have to wait for the right time." The Uchiha said. "So be brave Hina…you have a lot to endure in this journey."

Hinata's head snapped to Itachi and stared at the man with wonder. "H-Hina…you called me Hina."

"Do you prefer Hinata? They all think that we are lovers now…so I assumed that honorifics—"

"I-It's alright…It's just…" The Hyuga chewed her bottom lip. "I have a feeling that someone used to call me that…I just can't remember who…"

-o-

Tsunade folded the small piece of paper on her desk. Leaning on the chair, she tapped her red finger nails on the hard wooden table. The message that Itachi sent to her was a little disturbing for her part.

So Hinata already knows about the secret behind Itachi's action…

Then what next?

Would she order Itachi to bring the heiress back? Tsunade can never be sure if Hinata was as discreet as Itachi when it comes to maintaining an act of being an Akatsuki…letting the Hyuga stay in the Akatsuki with that knowledge might be a downfall for the village instead…

She really needs to think this one out.

Add to that, Neji Hyuga and Aburame Shino returned yesterday with the news of seeing Hinata with her fellow Akatsuki members…

"This is a spider's web." Tsunade muttered, pulling out a green bottle of sake from one of her table drawers. "The more one moves…the more one falls for the trap."

There was a knock on the door. Tsunade hid the bottle of sake under her desk and rested her arms casually on the chair's handles as she said the permission to enter. The door creaked open and Kakashi entered, carrying an orange bound pocket book with the name 'Ichi-Icha paradise' printed on the cover.

If this would have happened in a different year…she would have scolded the silver haired jounin about bringing these kinds of readable material in public.

But right now, it only reminded her of Jaraiya.

Even if the toad sage died a year ago, the wound it left her was still fresh. Yes, she already knew the feeling of losing a loved one…but Jaraiya's death was different. Dan and Nawaki died in her arms…she was able to hold them close until their last breath. She was able to bury their remains in sacred grounds that forever would be considered as the grave of heroes.

But Jaraiya…

The last time she saw the old pervert, he was smiling at her—even exchanging banters. She even scolded him about his intention of going after the Akatsuki alone. Damn…they even exchanged bets…and that was the first bet that she won.

Then the next thing she knew…he was gone. No remains…No nothing. He was like a bubble that just vanished in thin air.

"Lady Tsunade…" Kakashi faked a cough. The Hokage was staring at the pocket book that he was carrying, and for a moment, he thought that she was going to ask him something when her eyes turned glossy.

Kakashi knew who and what the Kage was thinking.

Tsunade's eyes became sharp again. "Kakashi… You're late. I summoned you thirty minutes ago."

The jounin scratched his head and smiled guiltily. He shrugged when the Kage raised her eyebrows. "I'm a little bit distracted today."

"Distracted because of that book am I right? Damn it Hatake, you are such a closet pervert." Shaking her head, she pulled out a folder. "Pick two members. You're going in a mission."

-o-

(f) Ino clasped her hands together in glee and looked at Shikamaru who was muttering something about troublesome women and troublesome festivals. "Come on Shikamaru! Its Konoha's Moon festival…so move your lazy ass and come with us! It's nighttime…and the festival is at its glorious during the night." The Yamanaka pulled the Nara's hand and starts to drag him with her.

"Hey lovebirds…wait up!" Tenten called. "I'll go get Neji…come with me!"

Choji smiled hopefully. "There's an eating game at Misao's barbecue house…maybe they still have an extra slot." Looking around, the Akamichi spotted Naruto who was talking to Sakura. "Oy Naruto! Why don't we join together?"

Kiba and Lee bumped fists as they talked about some kind of race competition that they were participating. The Moon festival has a lot of games and events that were personally organized by high ranked nins. It's a thanksgiving festival…a time for Shinobi and locals to enjoy and have fun.

Shino placed his hand on Hinata's shoulder. "Come with us Hinata…Neji said he's going with his teammates too. Tenten just left to pick him up. "

Hinata smiled but shook her head. "You go with them Shino-kun… It's my patrol duty tonight. I'll go with you guys tomorrow, I promise…I'll even m-make bento lunches for you and Kiba-kun…"

"Do you want me to go with you?" Shino asked, just as the same time that Naruto grumbled something about missing Uchiha idiots who loves to disappear when needed.

"No…I'll be fine. You should go with them and have fun" The heiress gave Shino's hand a gentle squeeze. "It's my duty…Besides; we are patrolling in pairs tonight."

After assuring Shino and Kiba that she's fine while they go out to have some fun, Hinata left the group and hurried to see the jounin who's in charge of giving the assigned places for the patrolling nins. When she received her assigned place, she was told that her partner was already ahead of her and might be waiting on the said place.

Hinata tree hopped—the forest was too dark for her to use the dirt path below. Loving the feeling of the cold air on her cheeks, she stopped when she arrived on her assigned patrol territory.

And an Anbu was waiting for her.

Just by his aura and stance, Hinata knew who the Anbu was. She was surprised…of all the Shinobi to be paired with—she was assigned to be with Uchiha Sasuke.

For the Anbu was Uchiha Sasuke.

"G-good evening…" She greeted. Sasuke has his masked on and he was sitting on a tree branch just above her head. Without a sound, he landed gracefully on the soil. The forest was dark but there were small cracks of moonlight shining down on them.

"Do you like Aburame Shino?" Sasuke deadpanned, removing his mask as he straightened himself up. The statement made Hinata frown and she wondered what triggered the question.

"Wh-what?"

"I know you have gotten over Naruto…so you going out with the Aburame heir now?" The Uchiha asked again.

"Sasuke-kun…What do you—"

"I saw you holding his hand."

Hinata raises her eyebrows. "Y-You were there…You have been watching us Sasuke-kun? Naruto-kun was looking for you…why did you not show yourself—"

"Answer my question first. Do you like the Aburame now?"

"I do…Shino-kun is like a brother to me—"

"Not like that…Do you have a crush on him or something?" Sasuke sounded impatient, and he showed it by taking a step forward and looked into her white moon-like eyes. "Hinata?"

"I…Im not really sure where this conversation is going Sasuke-kun…" Hinata bit her lower lip. They still have a few rounds to do and every time Sasuke asked her about these kinds of things, it always makes her uneasy. Yes, the Uchiha has been showing her his interest lately, but Hinata was aware about Sakura's feelings for the guy.

"What do you feel about me then?"

"Eh?" HInata knew she sounded like an idiot.

"Baka…You heard me. Now answer my question." The Anbu took a step closer. "I have been popping like some sort of weird mushroom in front of you for the past months Hinata. You should know it by now that I…I like you."

Hinata took a step and turned her back on the Uchiha. In truth, she was still confused about her feelings for him. It was so different compared to what she felt with Naruto…every time she saw the Uzumaki, she always felt glad…but with Sasuke—she was nervous and her heart won't stop beating like crazy.

Every time Naruto stares at her, she blushes.

But when Sasuke looks at her—she felt as if she was going to melt.

"W-We need to do rounds…The village is vulnerable when festivities happen…" She was about to leap but a hand gripped her arm and pulled back. The next thing she knew, she was staring at a gray Anbu vest—now black because of the darkness—and she gasped, feeling Sasuke's hand on her waist.

"Sasu—"

"Hina." He lowered his head until his lips touched hers. It was not the first time that he kissed her, but this time, he wanted it to be gentle…he doesn't want to scare her away from him, thinking that he was a pervert or something. He felt the Hyuga whimper, but she did not pull away like she always does when he made any physical contact. "Hina…" He murmured on her lips, ever so gently parting it with his lip as the intimate contact deepens.

"Sasu—" In normal days, Hinata would have pushed the guy away—like she usually does—but there was something…something in his strong arms around her protectively…on his gentle feathery kisses—so much different from the forced one he did during that time in the alley—that made her senses go fuzzy.

She has no strength to break the contact.

"Sasu—"She was trying to say something, but Sasuke's lips keeps on cutting her words. Gently, he pushed her back into a large tree trunk and pinned her there. One of his hands rose to brush the bangs away from her flushed face as he ended the kiss with a smile on his lips.

It was rare to see him smile.

"Sasu? I like that…" Sasuke stared into her big, round eyes. She was beautiful. "Hina…Can you see a future with me? Because I can see a bright one with you."

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chapter! Please review guys…and tell me what you think about the Naruto ending!

Shout outs to: sumiko808 (thank you for the message! You made me soo happy), SasuHina fan, Doddlehead, Sabie0521, cathyscloud9, lilyvocaloid15, Kess, PurplePanda99, RosalieCullen1822, and Tamani.

Until next chap!

-rebellious crazy gurl12