Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters they all belong to MASAHI KISHIMOTO and my spelling slash grammar can be way off at times.

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Put a Ring on it

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Every time I thought of you my heart would become excited and race, but today my heart aches of pain when I think of you. There is nothing left to say, I now understand how stupid I was to think… that perhaps one day… but no more because you can fool me once and I can blame you, but if I fall for it a second time I have no one to blame but myself.

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Chapter 14: Life Goes On

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Anko sat lazily lousing about her studio apartment wondering when she will have another gig to a distant place where she could let loose and just chill… party her life away.

But for some reason things have been slow since her last trip to Hawaii a few months back, she let out another disappointed sigh wanting to call one of the girls she represents; hey if you get paid to book shoots to foreign lands and just so happen to get your room with a view… relaxing massages, delicious food, hot sexy foreigner's.

It's not that she didn't go out here at home, it's just that she can't let as loose as she would like she has to keep a professional appeal here.

The sound of bells rang and echoed throughout the room, "Uh…" the woman wined and stretched her arm for her jacket "So far, I don't wanna move!" she complained and voiced her first world problem. Soon it stopped with a click sound stating that a voicemail had been left, "I need a maid…" she said and stretched a little further and caught hold of a part of the jacket with her pointer and F you finger and with so much caution attempted to pull the garment closer, without having to move too much.

The violet haired woman sighed 'If I move I won't be able to be in this exact position –I'm so comfy- but it's taking too long to get the jacket… why did I toss it on the floor anyways? Better yet why didn't I just take the phone out before tossing it?!' she pondered and gave up eventually and stood up. She picked up the jacket and took out the device after just dropping the jacket back on the floor and tried to get back into her previous position.

"Now I can't get comfortable!" she whined again, just forgetting everything she paid attention to the massage.

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The day had progressed as so, with Hinata attempting to keep herself busy and productive until further news comes her way.

The heart ached beauty had with some difficulty convinced her sister to let her go off on her own for a while; Ino's hugs and constant attention to try and make her feel better are very kind and generous. It's not that she doesn't appreciate it, but instead of getting her mind off this situation her constant show of affection is only reminding her of everything.

Hinata exited the elevator and took a step towards the lobby, it was full of people checking in or out and what not; this was controlled chaos. She headed towards the exit where the door man held the door and offered her a sincere smile "Good after noon Miss. Yuhi, would you like for me to get you a taxi or anything else?" he asked her, clearly he must have been told of how she had arrived last night.

It frustrated her that they would all talk about her; she did not want any ones pity or her name to be in others mouth. But she didn't want to be rude to him; he has yet to ask about her ex or any details. "Yes please, I would appreciate it." Hinata responded with a small smile of her own. The employee walked behind her and in no time what so ever got her a cab, opened the door for her once more "Thank you" she said with a smile and after he closed the vehicles door giving her another smile as she drove off.

She had been in the vehicle for about twenty minutes or so until she finally arrived in a nice suburban neighborhood, "Just up ahead is fine." Hinata told the driver and opened the door "If you could give me a few minutes, I won't be long." She asked hoping he would wait for her.

Hinata got off the car and walked up the drive way to the front door and rung the door bell and immediately heard the rush of footsteps and a few muffled voices the click of the lock turning and the door being pulled revealing a little boy who she loves so much. A big smile formed in the little boys face as he ran into her arms, "Hinata! I missed you so much!" Kenji shouted in his older sister's hold.

Hinata embraced him back she had missed him so much, "I know, I'm sorry I wasn't able to see you sooner, but here I am." She said knowing that he would be able to make her feel better.

A woman of age came up and looked at the siblings with a smile; the woman had been put in charge of the small boy while his parents were out with their old friends. "Hinata it is very nice to see you again." The old woman said.

She set the small boy down and gave the woman her full attention, "Kaori, it's been so long." Hinata smiled at seeing Kenji's care taker. "Do you think I can take Kenji off your hands for a few hours?" Hinata asked wanting to spend so time with her little brother he was her small buddy.

The small boy gleamed "Can I?!" he chanted and hugged onto Hinata a bit more tightly and looked at his care taker with his big puppy dog eyes.

Kaori seemed to give off a smile of relief; the woman is older now and can't always keep up with the young boy. "I don't think Kurenai or Asuma will mind." She said giving a smile.

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The woman with velvet hair and ruby eyes sat in her bed pouting because she would not be able to call Hinata or Sasuke, Itachi had pulled a fast one on her. Sort of anyways because he never said that she could not ask anyone else about the broken up couple.

She finished getting ready and in record time was out of the house, her destination the garage... once she was on the road, Karin wondered if Sakura was informed about all the things that had gone down in less than twenty four hours. She might since the pinkette is close to Ino who is even closer to Hinata, they –well mostly her- will be able to keep her in the loop with what is going on with the Yuhi sisters.

But that is only if Ino decides to trust her, knowing the blonde this is personal no one messes with Hinata and just gets a scolding from Ino. No she takes it to the extreme sometimes… most of the time.

Karin liked that about Ino, they could relate as Itachi had put it… she has no idea why though.

Karin arrived at Sakura's; the bubblegum haired woman liked nice things and her house showed just how much. She didn't live in a mansion or estate, but she did live in a very wonderful neighborhood, she parked in front of the house leaving the drive way available for usage. The wife saw a man working on the lawn, possibly adding more seeds to the tender grass.

He noticed her and sends her a smile and she returned it taking this as a sign that Sakura was still home, she had no compassion for the doorbell and pushed the button multiple times and then heard the muffled shouts of an angry Sakura.

She opened the door quickly and with anger in her voice "Will you quit that! I heard you the first time!" she shouted at Karin who ignored her and walked right in.

"I'm sorry, but this is important." She told Sakura, who irritated followed Karin in "Have you talked to Ino or Hinata?" Karin asked getting right to the point of her visit.

Sakura crossed her arms "Well hello to you too Karin, I'm alright thanks for asking and how have you been?" The jade eyed woman sassed her guest with sarcasm.

Karin tugged at the roots of her own hair, "Sakura this is important, have you guys talked or anything?!" she desperately had to know if not she would explode of curiosity.

The pinkette just rolled her eyes "No, why?"

"What about Sasuke?" Karin asked and noticed that the name of her past love caught her attention, that slightly bothered Karin, but she didn't voice it and let it go.

"No why? What's going on?" she asked and offered Karin a seat in her living room.

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The day progressed and she could genuinely say that she had a good time, she had been right in knowing that Kenji would be able to take her mind off things. But the little guy must have tired himself out, because here he was struggling to keep his eyes opened. Hinata just hugged him as they finally arrived at his temporary home; she would miss him so much especially since she would not see the boy for quite some time. He would be returning to London with is parents soon…

The embrace of her mother was tight, but she could not blame her. This was the first time they had seen each other since her arrival a few days ago. But so much had happened in these past few days; it was crazy and insane just how much her life has taken a flip and is currently upside down, not the easiest of situations.

And having her mother worry about her is something that she would rather not do, but Hinata knew that having her mother's comfort would really help. The hug and love that Kurenai was putting into it was proof enough and it was just her greeting her daughter. What if she spoke out her truth?

A mother's love is a big help when dealing with heart ache, but the beauty would rather leave that a side for some time. "I've missed you so much mom" Hinata whispered to Kurenai.

"Not as much as I have." The mother replied and kissed her, something about Hinata had always made her want to give comfort to her ever since she saw her all those years back.

Asuma held his young son as he saw mother and daughter "It's nice to see you Hinata." He said with a smile and wondered if he should keep some things to himself or if he should ask? She was in a relationship to have his old student ask about her is something that she may not want to know about. If anything he can simply say that Hinata was just fine, Shikamaru would possibly understand the situation.

Hinata separated from her mother and smiled at Asuma "It's been quite some time." She replied and moved to give the man who makes her mother happy a hug. It was not the same type of embrace as with her mother, but she did care for him all the same.

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It was a shame that she couldn't stay with her family longer, but when Ino called to tell her that Anko had news of something she might be interested in Hinata deiced that she didn't want to miss this opportunity.

The moon eyed beauty had not been able to get much sleep, which was bad because she needs to look her best. But even though she didn't expect anything she held hope that Sasuke would call her text her give her some sign of life. For a while she had looked over those messages that they would exchange with one another, and more than once did she type a message, but didn't have the courage to send it. Fear of falling in his game again or just not getting any response back…

And then it hit her, she had just become insecure.

It was just like when she had been in her early teen years, but that was shyness or are they both the same thing?

It doesn't matter, Hinata knew that she had learned to control whatever it was and be different? And the first step to that is to delete him from her life, there had been a life before she knew of his existences and she can go on now that he is gone.

And so last night she deleted Sasuke from her contacts… but she didn't have the strength to get rid of those messages.

Now here she is with Anko waiting on whoever was about to hire her…

In came the person who she had not expected, Jiraiya entered with a big smile on his face and his arms extended and wide open asking for a hug. "There she is!"

Hinata could not help but smile "It's been so long now" she said and walked into his arms and hugged him back.

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"I'm going to miss you so much!" Ino said to her sister while she held her close.

They were currently at the airport, Kenji was not about to stay out of the hug that his older sisters were sharing and joined in embracing both Ino and Hinata's legs "I'm going to miss you too!" he said looking up at Hinata.

The woman of the moment looked down and watched as her little brother and buddy was looking up at her with his big dark eyes. "I'm going to miss you both too." Hinata said and brought Kenji up to join in their hug.

Kurenai quickly joined in "Take care, dear." She said while squeezing tightening the hold. She reached out an arm "Get over here Asuma!" she said.

And everyone began to make room for him to join in; he smiled and joined in "Be sure to come visit us once you're done." He told her…

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"Sasuke she's leaving!" Karin told the man who showed no feelings what so ever, the velvet haired woman turned towards her bubblegum haired friend for support.

Sakura on her part was not sure what to say; three days ago Karin had been so urgent with her and told her all that had happened. And it had been like a trip down memory lane… she comprehended Hinata the feeling the heart ache and the sad truth.

Sasuke had moved on… all because she had suffocated him with her jealousy and constant accusing of him cheating on her.

The pinkette didn't have any intention in coming in with Karin, but was brought down to Sasuke's office against her own will. Even if she didn't voice why it was more of an 'Um I would rather not' but Karin was not having any of it and now she wants her opinion.

What can she say; she has come to forgive Sasuke after all it was just her paranoia that had ended their relationship. But this time Sasuke had taken it too far; the only reason why she had not said a word to Hinata was because it was Sasuke the one who had to say it. Hinata was her friend and Sakura knows that she should have said something, but feared that Hinata would not listen and think that it was bitterness of her past. She didn't want to lose her friendship.

And she is on risky terrain now as it is, but she never intervened in her relationship and avoided the subject whenever possible. And even with that she too could lose Hinata and Ino's friendship.

Karin's ruby eyes kept looking directly at her, waiting for her to say something but what could she say? She had talked to Ino two days ago and she only said that Hinata was going away for a job, Ino had not mentioned their breakup or anything having to do with Sasuke and she had not mentioned where she was going or when she would be back.

All that she knew she said and yet she was on the spot right now. "Did I not tell you to give her time…?" Itachi's voice soothed Sakura he just saved her from saying something that she was not sure of.

Karin jumped not expecting to have her husband be here, "Hehehe~ she have a dry laugh and squirmed a bit "I just couldn't help it, this is important!" she whined.

Itachi shakes his head and will deal with her at home, but for now he needs to attend what he came here for "I need to talk to Sasuke." He said and Sakura nodded and waved to Sasuke giving him a meek good bye to which he did not respond, then smiled at him with a wave and exited the office like a child who was caught sneaking a cookie from the cookie jar before her supper. His wife was a bit more difficult and needed to be told directly "Karin…" he spoke and looked at her directly.

Karin looked at her husband and huffed "Fine, I'll talk to you latter Sasuke." She said and left the office. How was she supposed to fix her mistake if Itachi did not allow her to try?

Sasuke showed no emotion, but they needed to talk even if his younger brother didn't want to they had to agree on a lot of things. "Sasuke, what have you decided?"

Sasuke didn't answer right away he headed for the liquor that he had in his office and poured himself a glass and offered it to his older brother, who declined it and continued to look at him waiting for an answer. "What do you want me to tell you?" he asked and just drank his liquor "Hinata doesn't want to see me anymore, I have not heard from her in days and now they just tell me that she is leaving…" he opened up to his older brother.

He nodded and gave him a pat on the shoulder, "That doesn't answer my question…" he told him and got a strange look of confusion on his face. Sasuke is smart, but it could be his emotions and the mix of alcohol that could be disrupting his judgment. Once he saw that his assumptions could be very correct Itachi decided to nudge his younger brother towards the answer, it won't mean anything if he just tells him what to do. "Hinata is young and very beautiful, it won't be long before she meets someone new…" he said and saw a reaction in his brother.

"By the look on your face, that's not something that you would be happy about." Itachi waited for him to get it and say what he needed to do. Again nothing he sighed he really didn't want to just give him the answer and so he tried again "You didn't do things right, you knew that from the start… it had just been a game for you?"

Sasuke's face turned sour with anger and then he relaxed a bit still he didn't say anything "What made you decide that you wanted to be with her?" Itachi asked wanting to know what Sasuke really wanted. It was not clear what exactly his younger brother wanted he wasn't say anything and Itachi needed something from him now. This was going to get him nowhere, "Look you have to make things right if you really want her, if not then just let her be…" was all he said and then just left the office leaving Sasuke to his thoughts.

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Six Months Latter—

Hinata sighed it had been a long day and she was now exhausted, she has been working with Jiraiya on the project that he wanted to try.

Beauty pageants really took it out of you; having to smile and be perfect… ultimately the goal would be for her to enter into becoming Miss University. This is a really different experience for her, but one of Jiraiya wanted to try something like this and since they had worked so well last time she had been his first choice.

Of course Jiraiya is a very clever and sneaky man; it could possibly be the wisdom that he has gathered over the years. But somehow he knew that she had been escaping something and after a lot of his persistent and constant questioning Hinata had finally told her story… He didn't judge her and he has allowed her to say whatever she needs to in her own time.

And over these past few months that she has been single again, she has yet to forget Sasuke but she has been able to stop wondering to an extent when he will be returning back to her life.

It's clear that he is not going to call her or try and find her, why she was still hopeful for after she found out the truth is a real mystery. The words that Jiraiya had told her were something that she had needed to snap out of her slump and move on with her life and live the way she should always have.

But now she has returned to help Ino with her wedding plans, it had come to her as a big surprise. Hinata had only frequent with him a few times for moments, but according to her sister they were nothing more than friends.

If they really were just friends perhaps this time that she had been away may have changed that, either way she is happy for Ino.

After going through security and getting their luggage she sees Sakura, Ino and her soon to be brother in law, Hinata smiled "Ino has really missed you." Jiraiya said.

Hinata just smiled wider and embraced both Ino and Sakura, "I Missed You So Much!" all three young women shouted at the same time as if rehearsed and tightening the grip on each other.

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"It feels nice to be home now." Hinata said snuggled in the couch with Ino to her left and Sakura to her right. After they had left the airport all went out for dinner and got to know the groom to be and his family with Sakura and Lee as well as Jiraiya and his lady friend Mabui, even Anko showed up and got very cozy with the grooms older brother and towards the end they both mysteriously disappeared. All had some laughs and bonded to an extent, doing their best to welcome one another into the new family that they would become in less than four months.

Sakura decided that she would join the two sisters that night to catch up with Hinata and all that has been going on with Ino's weeding planning. "I know it's been so long since you left and without a good bye too." Sakura said reminding Hinata of how she just left last minute, but she doesn't blame her.

These past few months have been difficult for Sakura, Karin has decided to use her as the spy and connection to Hinata. It's not easy… truth be told for some time she too had picked on Karin until she dated Sasuke and got to know her better. After that she felt horrible and apologized to Itachi's now wife, but she did not want to treat her like that. She is a close friend and Ino understood to a point, after her showdown with Karin. Ino said that it did not matter if she wished to continue to be friends with Karin after all they work together and have known each other for years, but to keep her and Hinata's lives out of Karin's knowledge with very little explanation as to why.

Sakura has tried to not take anyone's side, giving Karin very little details. It hadn't made the ruby eyed woman happy to know that she was on her own side team Sakura and would only tell her if something bad happened.

Hinata's reply was a nervous giggle with hug "Sorry it was a last minute thing."

"Alright you two…" Ino said and stood up walking over to the kitchen and bringing out a few bottles and glasses for them.

The night had progressed of the three reminiscing on their past until late, early in the morning the door was heard the three friends were all scrambled on Hinata's bed passed out and exhausted. Hinata was the first to open her eyes after hearing the door. She stretched bringing her arms up and bending her back and got up and answered the door.

"Hey… Hinata." The smooth voice said his brown eyes looked directly into her lilac pearls.

Hinata felt the heat raise to her cheeks and her heart beat quickened, "Uh…" She didn't know what to say then she realized that she was fairly exposed when she noticed he brought his hand behind his head. "Shikamaru!" she said blushed even harder.

He turned around and brought his hands up, she was in a tight purple tee and black booty shorts with silver hello kitty heads all over them "I didn't see anything." He said and smirked slightly at how self-aware she just became when he had seen her completely bear before.

She wondered if he was telling the truth or just wanting to make her feel better "I… Come in, um…" Hinata moved aside inviting him in, she was nervous and didn't know what he was doing here.

"No I should have called, sorry." He said with his back to her. "I just wanted to talk to you, but I caught you at a bad time…" Shikamaru said.

Hinata bit her lip and thought that she was being real silly; she put her arm on his shoulder "It's alright." She said doing her best to swallow her nerves.

"Well how about we just do this latter?" he asked and turned slightly so she could see his face, but in no moment did he observe her body.

Hinata's blush diminished slightly "Ok…" she responded slightly star truck and butterflies in her tummy.

Shikamaru smirked "I'll stop by latter tonight then." Was all he said and walked off down the hall.

She stood there for a moment before stepping back into the apartment when she was ambushed "Well Hinata" Sakura said and winked at the blushing girl.

"Someone has a date tonight!" Ino joined in and smiled while batting her eyes.

"It's not like that!" Hinata said thinking back to what just happened.

"Shure it's not." Ino continued and winked at her "Come on we have to get ready, I have my fitting today!" she said changing the subject remembering that she would finally get to try on dresses now that Hinata and her mother were here.

They got ready and after picking up Kurenai the headed for the bridal shop, where they were greeted by neat woman her hair tied back into a bun and she dressed in skirt suit holding a tablet. "Hello, I'm Maki." She said with a smile.

Ino being the one to get married smiled "Hi Maki, I'm Ino" she said with a smile "And this is my sister Hinata, my friend Sakura and my mom Kurenai." She took the liberty of introducing each one there.

After all the introductions Maki looked at Ino "It's nice to meet you all" she said and looked at Ino "And you must be the bride to be, you are just glowing." She said "Please follow me." Maki asked and led them to a waiting area were the party of the soon to be bride could wait "Please come with me, we have chosen a few dresses that go with the theme of your wedding." She said with a smile, Ino smiled and walked off with the woman she was so excited and didn't have to be asked twice.

"Ino you look beautiful." Hinata told her sister as she saw her twirl around in a white wedding gown.

The bubble gum jade eyed marvel held a smile of her own looking at the blonde in awe "You do!" Sakura said with much enthusiasm in her voice

The blonde wife to be soon looked at her with questioning gleam in her electrical blue eyes "You think? I don't know…" Ino replied.

A smile formed on Kurenai's soft lips "Honey you look wonderful." The two's mother stated her opinion.

The gown was strapless with crystal floral design flowing down to her side; the top hugged her body perfectly flowing down with grace. "It's not that I don't like it I do, but I don't know if it's a real dessert dress." Ino replied she did love the dress but she also has to think of the place where she will be saying I do at.

The woman with dark hair neatly tied back in a bun smiled "Why not try the next dress." The lady who was showing them gowns said motioning Ino to come back to change "Please this way once more." She said with a smile.

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Tenten sat in her room, looking at herself as she brushed her long currly hair. It's been half a year since her discovery of her life and after that moment with Sasuke she took a stand and had all his things moved to another room. It didn't feel right to share a room with her husband… he is still her husband in the eyes of most, but things have really changed.

Sasuke has drowned himself in work and is hardly ever home, and when he is here he is in his office or his room. The times that they bump into one another it's not easy, he tries to be nice to her, but she just can't.

She has stalled her mother all this time, to allow Sasuke to pay back what he owes and after they will begin their divorce. And that will be very soon, it could be at any moment that he tells her that he has finished and that they should begin with the process.

It wasn't easy to accept that this is how things will have to be, but she doesn't want to hold him back any longer. If you love something let it go and if it comes back it was yours, well she knows he was never hers so once he is set free… he will be gone.

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"Everything is going just like you wanted." Naruto said looking at Jiraiya who sat in the balcony staring out to the streets. "You know, it's not my place to say but you could try and have a family… with Mabui." He said and looked at him for any type of reaction. He has become Tsunade's new lover; it had been slightly challenging but nothing that he couldn't handle. He has been the perfect gentlemen with her as most women her age enjoy being treated, and out of respect for Jiraiya he has yet to gotten busy in the bedroom with her.

"I could…" he said and the thought brought happiness into his heart, he wouldn't be alone anymore. He has never been married, but once he does ties the knot that will be his priority. And it's a possibility "But first things first, we have to finish what we started." He turned to face Naruto "Unless you can't go through with it?" He questioned.

Naruto laughed "Nah I'm in" he said with a smile, "But will you be able to? Is this really what you want?" he asked now serious.

"I've been waiting for this for thirty years." He said and turned back to look out.

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A/N: okay that took longer than I thought it would, but here it is. I had decided this from the very start, and I didn't really want to jump into Ino's story here because it may have given a lot away and taken from the suspense I think or maybe it wouldn't have mattered. We will never know now, but that may be my next project after this or sometime in the future, I've already bitten off more than I can chew. Anyways till next time.