So many ideas on my head and I am just so excited to write it down.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

Itachi can't sleep. Shifting his weight to the side, he stared at the sleeping form that was curled into a ball on the bed. It was quite chilly tonight, and he silently wondered if she was feeling cold too.

Hell…

Tomorrow, Hinata is going to take a mission by herself. He knew she was capable of doing it but he was so used on looking after her that he was feeling uneasy by just thinking about it. He knew Kisame would feel the same too…

But why is he feeling like this?

He knew it was his mission to protect her…but it was also his top priority to maintain his cover as an Akatsuki member. Not to mention that another problem might arise upon the retrieval of the forbidden book and needs to do something about it.

Hinata bit her lip. She was trying to sleep—or pretending to—but she can't even take a short nap. Breathing heavily, she pulled the covers up to her chin. It was cold…and she was feeling not so well tonight. Opening her eyes a bit, she saw Itachi shift his weight. She can't really see the Uchiha's face but just a silhouette…

She can still feel his big warm hand holding her own.

It felt…good. It makes her feel that she was protected.

"I thought you were asleep." Itachi said, his silky cool voice cutting through the silence.

"I'm trying to…" Hinata shifted her weight, this time, facing the Uchiha's direction. "I thought you were asleep too…"

"I can't…"

"Why?"

"I'm thinking about you." Itachi answered frankly. "And other lot of things…"

"0h…" Hinata blinked, a little amused that she was also thinking about him. "About the mission…?"

"Hn."

Propping himself up, Itachi rose from his makeshift bed. He doesn't know why but the Hyuga does the same. Picking up his cloak which was hanging on a rusty, old peg, he put it on himself. "Why don't you go back to sleep?"

"I can't sleep. Where are you going?"

"Out."

"What for?"

"Fresh air."

"C-can I come with you?"

-o-o-o-

Sakura lowered her head down.

"Sakura…I am not telling you not to like anybody. I am telling you to control it. Love is good…but it could also be a downfall for you. You are a great kunoichi…and someday, I know that you can surpass me."

"Tsunade-sama…"

"I treat you as my own daughter Sakura…I am only looking for your well-being. This would also be a lesson for Naruto. He is the future Hokage…and he needs to focus if he wants to fulfill his goal. Being the leader of a village is not an easy task…and after what happened with him and Sasuke a few days ago—he needs to learn that as a leader, he must control his feelings and must not act harshly."

The Haruno smiled sadly. "I understand Tsunade-sama…and Arigatou for your concern."

"So Sakura…what would it be?"

Sakura took a deep breath, and as if making up her mind, she took the brown folder on Tsunade's desk. She stared at it for a few seconds then gave the sannin faint smile. It would be a great change for her but she knew she's going to learn many things.

It would make her stronger too.

"I'm going to take it."

Tsunade nodded. "Suna needs a medic like you."

-o-

Hinata gracefully weaved into the forest with haste. She is wearing her black Akatsuki cloak and half of her face is covered because of the straw hat on her head. She also tied her long blue tresses into a short ponytail and tucked it inside the collar—her hair was too vibrant to be let lose in a mission such as this.

As she ran, her mind drifted back into last night's memory.

(f) Hinata stared at Itachi in shock. In return, he just looked at her with his usual stoic demeanor. They were sitting on the ground on a small clearing that they found while they were strolling on the forest—with the intention to ease their minds for the big things that was about to come. The place was well hidden because giant trees and shrubs grew all around it.

It was very quite too.

Then Itachi started to tell her his biggest secrets…or Konoha's biggest secrets. She just doesn't know what to call it anymore. He told her that she needs to know…especially when she's about to make one of the biggest decisions in her life.

"You really did not mean to hurt Sasuke-kun all those past years. You did it for him."

Itachi did not say anything, instead, he began to focus his attention into her eyes. He doesn't know why, but he realized that he really, really like them. Her blue hair and pale face was just the perfect combination to bring out her white robs more.

"Y-you sacrificed so much…"

"Keep your voice down…" He gently reminded her. Hinata was just an arm's length away from him so he could clearly feel the uneasiness and shock emitting from her. Leaning back a bit, he rested his back on a tree trunk and let the cool breeze play with his dark ponytailed hair.

Hinata looked at Sasuke's older brother. The moon's light was illuminating his handsome face and she noticed that he has closed his eyes. It was like he was trying to relax himself.

"Itachi…"

"Hn."

"Arigatou for everything…"

"Hn."

An hour passed, and when Hinata started to shiver— Itachi suggested they return back to the old house before anyone suspects that they were missing…Or before Kisame knows—they suspect that the others won't care except for her "adopted" older brother.

"Put this on." Itachi passed her his cloak.

"Hai…"

As they started retrace their way back, Hinata can't help but be distracted at this new knowledge about the village and how the Shinobi world really works. So distracted in fact, that she was not aware of a huge stump in front of her—only to discover it too late when she already found herself stumbling forward.

Itachi grabbed her arm and pulled her back. It was a little stronger than necessary so Hinata ended up burying her face flat on the Uchiha's chest.

He smells of sandal wood.

Hinata looked up—with the intention of thanking the older man. She was amused at her own clumsiness that she was about to smile and make a jest out of it when she saw the Uchiha's dark eyes looking down at her intently.

Her smiled vanished.

"Ano…I-Itachi-san." She started. "You—"

He silenced her with a kiss. (f)

-o-

Sasuke paused on his tracks.

Kakashi and Naruto halted too. Looking back at the Uchiha, they both waited for him to say anything why he stopped. They were on a mission anyway, and time is very important when it's S-class.

"Sasuke?" Kakashi called.

The Uchiha looked puzzled too. "I…It's nothing. I thought I…"

"What?" Naruto asked curtly. He was still not in good terms with Sasuke but he realized that missions like this won't turn up well if they continue to avoid each other. Maybe they could settle their issues after their job—but right now; they have to put it aside.

Sasuke shook his head. "Nothing."

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chap. I found a spare time so I figured I could update today…just to make up for the short chapter before this.

-crazygurl12