I should try 'beta reading' on my next fanfic…

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

Sasuke's face, behind the cover of the Anbu mask, looks stunned.

She called her Sasu…

"I'm glad you're back." He told her, loving the fact that it was the real Hinata he was holding… not some kind of imagination that would just drift away from his grasp. He really wanted to ask her about her memories, in case she remembered some of it— but Sasuke realized that being with her right now was more important.

Nothing else matters. Memories can be made anyway—he could live with that.

It's her he cannot live without.

"I should have been there when you woke up but the Hokage ordered me to do something so I was not able to be with you." He continued, wondering why the girl was so still. Slackening his hold on her, he removed his mask and looked down.

The girl was crying.

"What's wrong?" He asked her, forehead creased in question.

Hinata smiled sadly as she wiped the tears with the back of her arm. "I don't know anymore…my tears just won't stop…they fall by their own will." Sighing he looked at the young man. "It's…its weird right?"

"No. Just leave them to fall." He said, his tone also matching the sadness that was visible on her voice. He knew Hinata has been through a lot. "I'll be here to wipe them dry anyway." Thinking about the things that they might have done to her, Sasuke wished he could bring down all of the Akatsuki members one by one…let them die in the most painful way possi—

"Sasu…"

"You remember to call me that."

"I was able to remember a lot of things." She answered honestly. "But I have to admit…It all makes me so confused. There are still a lot of questions inside my head…Gomenasai Sasuke-kun. I am just…so lost."

"Then I will do all I can to sort everything out." The Uchiha slowly lowered his head. It has been a year—It has been a year since she was this close to him. The Hyuga clan might take his head off if they found out that he was inside Hinata's room…but he doesn't care.

Neji can beat him into a pulp and he doesn't care either.

When their lips touched, Hinata wanted to pull away. Such intimacy seems out of place for her situation right now, and inside her mind, it was like an insult to his older brother. Itachi was suffering…and here she was, enjoying such comfort.

She would have pulled away, if Sasuke did not hold the nape of her neck firmly in place. He kissed her gently—unlike the aggressive way he usually does—and savored her lips with longing. As he pulled her closer, wanting to feel her petite frame against his, his right hand rose to touch the hollow of her back.

"Please don't leave me again Hina…" Sasuke whispered when he let her mouth free, giving her time to inhale the much needed air. "I'll die if you do." Leaning his head so that his forehead touches hers, he gave her a genuine smile—the first smile he managed after more than a year of feeling alone and in pain. "You don't want that do you?"

Hinata bit her lower lip. "Sasu…"

Sasuke was so engrossed with the realization that Hinata was back in his arms, that he became so oblivious to everything around him, but if he has the chance to look outside the window—even just a glimpse—he might have seen a large crow flew away into the night.

A crow with blood red sharingan eyes.

-o-o-o-

Ino looked at Naruto with annoyance. The whiskered blonde was lying on the grass beside her while she sat crossed-legged with a grimace on her face. The Uzumaki has dragged her with him to the training grounds when they saw each other near Ichiraku's a few minutes ago. She doesn't know why, but after healing Naruto a few weeks ago, they sort of…bonded.

"You dragged me here so that I could watch you while you lie down on the grass, munch on a candy, and stare at the clouds? You are not Shikamaru, Naruto…" She said. Ino can't help but feel annoyed at the Uzumaki and she showed it by glaring at him. "Believe me…I am fed up with this kind of 'lazy act'. I have been keeping up with things like this since I was a genin."

She was referring to Konoha's laziest Shinobi…Shikamaru Nara.

Naruto gave her a cheeky grin. "But you came."

"Idiot."

Propping himself up, Naruto scratched his head. "It's just that…I'm sort of lonely. Teme has been dividing his time between Hinata and his Anbu duty…Sakura is in Suna doing some medic work. I just want to have company, and you are…well, good company Ino-chan."

"So you wanted me to come as Sakura's replacement?" Ino asked and her tone was suddenly bitter. "I'm not her Naruto…never will."

"Hey…I didn't say that."

"Then what?"

"I don't know, I think I like your company very much…I know you're not Sakura-chan. You two are different…entirely different. It's just that…Well, I don't really know how to say this but…" Pouting his lips playfully, he looked at the future captain of the interrogation team. "I like you."

Ino blinked. She knew that Naruto was meaning it in a friendly way and not just because he wanted to hit on her—he was always so genuine in his words that sometimes, they can cause a different meaning to others.

But for some unknown reasons, his words made her blush.

"Idiot…" She muttered, flipping her long hair behind her. Come on…she should not be feeling this way with the Uzumaki. It's bizarre.

Maybe it was because no one has been giving her this much attention lately, she reasoned with herself mentally. Even since Hinata's return, all the boys were trying to spend time with her since the Hyuga was like everyone's 'little sister'.

Yeah…maybe that's the reason.

"A-are you angry with me?"

"Do you have money?" Ino suddenly asked, wanting to divert the topic away from her. She made plans for visiting the Hyuga girl today but she decided that it could wait. Hinata was back in their midst now. She would have plenty of time to spend with her and bring her favorite lavender flowers.

"Uhm…yeah. Why?"

"I'm hungry…care to treat me for lunch?"

-o-

(f) Naruto's electric blue eyes widened. "Holy shit… Is that…Is that—"

"Hinata!" Sasuke was already ahead of the Uzumaki. After leaping as fast as he could to reach the crumpled form that was lying near the water bank, he paused—wide eyed and stunned. At first, he thought that the faint Hyuga chakra signature was just inside his head. But when he saw the vibrant blue hair…

He knew without a doubt that it was her.

"Be careful…" Kakashi pulled out a senbon. Maybe it was some kind of trap. They must never drop their guard for even just a second. If he thinks about it carefully, using the kidnapped Hyuga as bait was very smart—for the Hatake knew that she was bait that they cannot avoid taking.

Sasuke kneeled beside the form, breathless as he realized that she was the real Hinata. He has no idea why she's in this place…"Unconscious yet unharmed" He muttered, still unbelieving that she was so…close.

Did the Akatsuki abandoned her? Pressing a palm on her neck, he was relieved to discover that she still has a normal pulse rate. It also seems like there was no visible wounds on her body. Tilting her head up, he studied her face.

It was tear-streaked.

"Teme…" Naruto has pulled out a weapon of his own, as tense as Kakashi as his blonde head keeps on wheeling around and trying to sense anybody's presence. He was not expecting to sense anyone though, for he knew that the Akatsuki are very good in masking their chakra. They were not members of the organization for nothing. "Don't you think this is a trap?"

"Trap or not. We are not going to leave her here Naruto."

"I know…It's just…weird that Hinata's here." The Uzumaki frowned. "Unconscious…in a place where our mission is."

"I don't care…" The Uchiha carefully hoisted Hinata up, shifting her weight so that he can carry her in his arms. "I'm going to take her back." (f)

Hinata smiled when Kiba gave her a bear hug, threatening to crush her lungs. "I just wanna hug you all day!" He exclaimed while Shino stood nearby. "Come on, hug me back Hinata-chan!"

"You're going to suffocate her Kiba." Shino said calmly as he walked towards them. He gave her arm a gentle squeeze as his other hand took hold of the Inuzuka's leather jacket—peeling her away from her. Kiba can be too touchy sometimes…too touchy for his approval.

Just as Kiba was about to yell a protest, Hyuga Neji appeared behind them—eyeing the two males one by one. The prodigy has grown more protective ever since Hinata returned, and no one in their right minds will ever dare to cross his wrath when it comes to Hinata.

"Oy…here comes the older brother…." Kiba rolled his eyes.

Hinata blinked, her mind suddenly conjuring an image of a shark-like looking man, grinning fondly at her while holding his beloved Samehada sword. As the image…or memory drifts away from her, she lowered her head to hide her sad expression from the rest.

She misses her 'papa shark'.

Well, that's what Deidara-san would say if he was here.

"Hinata-sama…" Neji gave her shoulder a gentle tap. "You're going to have a meeting with the council today…Hiashi-sama wants me to remind you."

"I…I remember Nii-san. Arigatou…are you coming with me?"

"Uhm No, the elders wants you to be the only one present. I think they are to ask you about a few things." Neji said apologetically. "But if you want me to come, I can ask them…maybe they can reconsider."

"It's alright Nii-san. I heard that you still have training with Tenten-chan right? I don't want to disturb your plans for today."

A few hours later, Hinata was walking alone on the dusty dirt path that leads to the Hyuga Council room. She knew that the elders were just going to ask her again about what happened to her in the past year. Maybe a few praises and welcoming speeches too. But in her mind, Hinata knew that she was not going to like it.

She found herself already forming answers for questions that she suspected to be thrown at her. She wanted to pick the safest answers for herself, protecting Konoha's secret and Itachi at the same time. Talking about Itachi…she can't help but wonder if he got himself into trouble because of her...

Did he and Kisame managed to persuade Pein to believe whatever story that both of them have whipped up to cover for her sudden disappearance?

She hoped so.

"You have a knack at carrying other people's burden Itachi…" Hinata whispered as she stopped in front of the council meeting house. Composing herself, she was about to push the large wooden door but it opened even before she could touch it, revealing a young girl with a stern, proud face.

"Hanabi…"

"Nee-san." The girl acknowledged her rather coolly. "They're waiting for you."

"H-how are you Hanabi? I haven't seen much of you since last week." She said, missing the younger sister that usually smiles. She and Hanabi were never close….but their relationship as sisters was decent. That's why she can't fathom the reason for the younger Hyuga to hate her.

It was so obvious with Hanabi's eyes.

"Training…Heiress duty. You should know the drill since I'm now living the life and responsibilities that you left behind."

"Oh…"

"Is that all?"

"I miss you Hanabi. Gomenasai that you have to take my place."

Hanabi frowned, letting her sister's words sank in. "Miss me? Really Nee-san? Wow…you have been gone for a year by your own will to join an organization full of reeking, blood thirsty, crazy, rebels…then you're going to say that you miss me?"

"Those rebels are not—"Hinata found herself being defensive but caught herself on time. She should not be defending Akatsuki. It would sound weird to others, especially those who have their mind fixed upon believing that all Akatsuki members are blood thirsty killers with nothing good inside them.

"You are being unfair Hanabi…" She told the young girl. "You don't know any of them."

"Oh really? Those evil leeches? I am being unfair to them? They are nothing but soulless monsters that care nothing but blood and pain Hinata-Nee…they are vile—"

"Stop it Hanabi." Hinata said sternly. "If you continue saying those things, I might do something that we both will regret. You are my sister…but I am the older one and you should respect me as such."

"You are threatening me now? I am the heiress now, not you."

"Heiress or not, I don't care. Just don't forget that I am an Akatsuki member for a year. I am no longer weaker than you." With those words hanging between them, Hinata left her sister and entered the council room.

-o-o-o-

Sakura dropped the small parchment on her desk. Patting the messenger hawk on the head, she gave it a few crumbs of bread before letting it out of the window.

"Hinata's back…" she muttered as a smile crept to her face. "Sasuke's going to be alright now…" The message was from Ino, informing her that Hinata has been retrieved from the hands of the Akatsuki. It was not mentioned how they managed to rescue the Hyuga, but Sakura knew that it was not the important thing now…

Hinata was back alive…that's what matters most.

"Hey." Temari stood by the entrance, cutting Sakura's thoughts. "You have been working overtime…care to take a break? Gaara wants to see you."

"Uhm..Why?"

"I don't know…maybe about the medical project. Why don't we check it out then have lunch?"

"Sure. I'm famished…"

-o-o-o-

Hinata pulled the covers up to her chin. It was already midmorning and she still cannot get any sleep. All she was able to do was toss around the bed and pretend to close her eyes. She was very tired, and sleep would be a good thing right now.

With a sigh, she propped herself up. The more she tried to get some sleep, the more it seems to be out of her grasp—so she decided that she could stop trying and instead, get some fresh air. Putting her loose jacket on, she pulled the chair that was beside the bed and dragged it to the window.

Seating herself, she opened the window with a gentle push. Leaning towards it, she rested her chin on top of her knees—which she has pulled up—and let the cool air bathe her face. Sometimes, she can't help but wonder why nighttime was the most relaxing part of day, even if it was the darkest.

Closing her eyes, Hinata hummed a gentle tune. It has been a long time since she has done that and it was surprising even to herself. She has stopped humming or singing when her mother died and she was still a child back then. She knew it was weird for her to be doing it right now, but something about it seems to ease her mind a bit.

It was like a breath of fresh air for her troubled self.

Itachi listened to Hinata's gentle humming as he settled himself under the covers of the thick leaves of a giant tree that was just a few feet away from Hinata's window. He just finished talking to Lady Tsunade about a few important matters when he decided that he could pay the Hyuga a visit before leaving the village. Well…A one sided visit to be exact, for he has no intention of letting her see him.

Watching her humming a sad tune, Itachi wondered how she has been keeping up with the fact that they returned her to the village for her own safety. Knowing Hinata, he knew that she was worried about them, risking their necks and all that…

But they did it for her own good. She would understand in time.

I wasted enough time. Itachi told himself and decided that it was better to leave than being discovered. He was inside a compound full of Byakugan users and even though he successfully avoided all the guards, there was still no guarantee that they won't be able to discern that there was a trespasser.

Hinata blinked.

She was not sure if her eyes were playing tricks…but it seems like she saw some kind movement on the thick bundle of leaves from a nearby tree. Squinting, she wondered if it was a squirrel or some kind of nocturnal animal. She was tempted to use her Byakugan to check what it was…but decided against it since it was against house rules.

"What…" She suddenly gasped, both hands shot up to cover her mouth.

Maybe it was some kind of mind trick, but Hinata saw the unmistakable silhouette of a man before it disappeared into the darkness completely. Stunned, she froze for a few seconds before leaping out of the window. She doesn't know what and why she was doing this, but her legs carried her until she was out of the Hyuga compound.

Maybe it was because she has a sneaking suspicion about who it was.

When she reached the trail that leads to the forest, she activated her Byakugan. Sure enough, her suspicion was confirmed.

It was Itachi.

The man has already put a considerable distance between them so Hinata hurried her pace and began to weave into the dark forest as fast as she could. Using a few shortcuts—the advantage of having the Byakugan as kekkei genkai—she hoped that the Uchiha won't use his 'crow transformation jutsu' or whatever it was called before she could reach him.

"Itachi!" She called, knowing that he was not far away. "Please stop!"

She continued to follow, catching her breath as she pushed her legs to the limit. She has to reach him…she must talk to hi— "Ah!" Hinata stumbled, failing to notice a large boulder on the trail. She was too focused on following the Akatsuki member that she was not paying attention to her surroundings anymore. Falling flat on her face, she winced when her forehead hit the ground hard.

Hinata groaned, closing her eyes when she felt the warm trail of blood began to ooze from her forehead to her eyes. Shaking her head along with the pain, she pushed herself to stand up.

She still needs to follow him.

Wiping the blood shakily with an arm, she was about to run again when she felt a strong grip on her arm—stopping her midstride.

"You really are hardheaded." She heard a cool, satiny voice. "You should know better than to follow me."

Hinata bit her lip. "Itachi…" She felt him tilt her chin up then wiped the blood from her face. Still breathing heavily, she slowly opened her eyes, not even bothering to mind the stinging pain in her eyes brought by the blood. "You shou—"

Itachi pulled the girl to him, cutting whatever she has to say with his embrace. "You will be fine Hina…just go back and pretend that you did not see me."

"I can't…"

"Everything will be fine."

"No…" Hinata shook her head, face pressed on the man's chest. "Everything's not fine…Itachi."

"She is right Itachi." A voice full of venom and anger cuts in. "Everything will never be fine. Now let go off her before I kill you on the spot….traitor."

"Sasuke-kun…"

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chapter. Whew…I had a hard time writing this chap…

But anyways…I already have the ending formed inside my head; I'm just hoping that I could transform it into the right words…If there are typos or errors, please tell me so that I could change it. I'm a bit of a hurry and did not have time to reread or edit. Schoolwork got the best of me this week.

Please review…pretty please.

-crazygurl12