A Most Pink Affair 3 - (Naruto AU, Sakura!SI)

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In a world that had been in a tentative peace of more than a decade, the idea of 'dealing with internal politics' is a kingmaker.

You can either rub elbows with the big shots of a village, end up in the wrong corner, or... you can pick both.

The Uchiha Clan, by all means, didn't start as a bunch of traitorous wankers. An example of that was how none of the clan followed Madara when he defected from Konoha. Another example of that was when they lost many lives during the last two Shinobi Wars.

The truth on the topic was absolute manipulation on a bullshit level was behind the decline of the Uchiha Clan. It was less about influence and more about popularity.

The once prestigious 'remaining Founding Clan' had lost big time when the Kyuubi struck. Not their fault beyond general cowardliness that didn't make them pleasant to bow to when they were expected to be 'super-strong'.

Had Fugaku been wrong in keeping a defensive outlook? Loyally-speaking, yes. But looking into a simple census book will explain his decision: the Uchiha Clan had seen a major population growth following the last two big wars. They had lost so many lives there that they needed to fill up.

Throwing corpses at a 'demon' didn't sound productive to that cause.

Could there have been more 'appeasing' methods to still balance both chores? Perhaps. But still, I wasn't going to whine about it in front of the Clan Leader's face- not when I had been 'graciously invited' to dinner at Satsuki's place.

Mikoto was the 'diplomat', Fugaku the 'fuck it, tradition can go baller'.

I could tell both by canon and by personal experience. Literally had to just bow my head to the former and... shake hands with the latter.

The first thing Mikoto asked was for an opinion on her homemade cookies, Fugaku went on to inquire my parents' businesses.

The difference was impressive, but it would be a lie to say that the rest of the Uchiha were any better. There was a whole lot of staring, some in annoyance and the rest in boredom.

The only ones (beyond Mikoto) that I could call pleasant enough to talk with were Satsuki (as expected) and... Itachi.

Itachi was the oddest thing to deal with. Not much in regard to his lack of social skills beyond a selective few folks from his clan, but rather his blatant interest in my skills.

He had questioned my unusual grades, prodded me on other 'interesting' Ninja training I had for skills, but I was not planning to let anything out of my mouth about my 'clan-only' info.

I deflected, I played dumb, and I could tell Fugaku was growing as curious as his son. Not good. At least I had Satsuki feeling Tsundere enough to jump in some topics and Mikoto trying to play as support for me.

The entire dinner was messy in terms of social importance. I was losing a very important battle regarding the way I wanted to be perceived.

Someone had talked. They talked big and they talked true- there was no way Itachi just 'recognized' someone with some awareness of the system and just knew how to disable my defense.

I was getting grilled intensely, but my saving grace was that dinner could last so long. I was nervous as Mikoto offered me to stay and have a 'sleepover' with Satsuki. The girl was delighted so she could show off her room, but I was very nervous about spending more time in that compound.

Then, I thought about how any refusal would be perceived - the Uchiha would get suspicious, while my parents would easily ground me. This wasn't gucci.

I found myself huffing as the night came and I found myself in a very awkward spot. Satsuki moves in her sleep - someone could have told me that.

Having the black-haired brat latch onto me like a baby sloth was a bit awkward despite our ages. I felt no 'weirdness' in the embrace, but it still felt a bit annoying.

I looked around, eyes unwilling to stay away for long from the window. The door was closed, there were no other ways for anyone to look onto me. Except the ceiling, but a quick chakra pulse through the room's surfaces confirmed that it was just Satsuki and I in the general surroundings.

The cuddling lasted until the next morning. Satsuki, as the prime tsundere, said it was my fault. Knowing my perfect sleeping habits which excluded any sudden movements, I refused her thesis. I told her she was allowed to cuddle with me if she wanted.

That got a squeak from her, and a refusal. That being said, her denial sounded more like a 'blurted out panic response' than genuine rejection. I will welcome more cuddles in the long run and...

Itachi was surprisingly not around in the morning. Mikoto mentioned something about him being busy as an ANBU. Sounded about right at the time.

I left that compound with an uneasy feeling despite no longer having so many Uchihas with their gazes on me. It wasn't exactly a direct sense of threat, but an awareness I was going to be going through a whole lot of mess in the long run.

The only moment of peace didn't even come to me as I returned home. I even felt so stiff greeting mom and dad and... the only moment I felt at ease was when I got to my room, shut the windows and the blinders, and I huddled myself under my sheets.

Was this my body pulling a stunt on me?

No. I could tell it was my mind. Not much in regard of potentially saying the wrong thing, but by merely being connected to the Uchiha put me at odds with so many people.

Obito, Zetsu, Danzou, and even Itachi in the near future.

Can I prevent the massacre? After seeing how Fugaku worked as an independent fellow, I could tell he could be tempted without manipulation. Mikoto was nice, but how much of that was a masterfully-tailored mask to appear as an unifying figure?

And then there was Itachi. Curious, smooth, and yet so... so ruthlessly precise.

I was playing some big games and, for once, I felt like I needed to catch up with all of this. Maybe it was time to up my training.

Maybe it was time to graduate by next year.

Hyuuga Hinata loves cookies. And tea.

But one thing that Hinata loved the most was the one that usually brought those to her. To her father, someone bearing the last name Haruno was not worthy of friendship, but the young heiress loved Sakura as a person rather than a potential ally.

The pinkette was blunt, honest, and seemed to mean well with her swift words. There was also the notion she didn't speak formally, addressing her by first name and expecting the same treatment.

To some Hyuuga members, this was absurd. But for someone like Hinata that yearned for that sort of relationship, this was bliss.

Yet, today was different. Today was important as Sakura had put her a very big question.

"Y-you want to graduate so soon?"

It sounded absurd considering that... Well, Sakura didn't look the prodigy that could do it. In fact, Hinata always thought her more like a theory-focused student due to their few brief study sessions. Where at school their interactions were rare if any due to public appearances, Hinata knew Sakura through those 'brief chats' together during the deliveries.

"Yep."

"Can you- you even do that?"

"I could do it this year, but I don't want the attention."

A hint of jealousy flared at this arrogant claim, but Hinata... knew that Sakura wasn't lying. Or wasn't saying this because she wanted to upset her.

"A-Attention?"

"People wants prodigies. They want them put in big special teams meant to act as Konoha's finest. Which means... well, doing unsavory things."

Hinata was still too young to know what that meant- at least, in regard of why that would be bad. Yet, she didn't inquire and she trusted her friend's comment.

"So... why now?" The dark-haired girl asked, this feeling important considering how the pinkette raised a point on why she didn't want to do it.

What had changed? Sakura didn't hold herself back.

"The Uchiha. Been hanging around Satsuki long enough that her brother, who is a genius, is poking at my 'silly civilian girl' mask. I think he knows and, if I have to be honest, I don't need that."

The name Uchiha Itachi was a familiar one to Hinata. It was one her father had muttered many times... as comparison to hers.

"The eldest Uchiha boy is stronger than you. Do you have any shame?"

As if she had any choice in that matter.

"So you are just..."

"Working to get top of the class, and then, hopefully, not be nagged at by Itachi for a while."

That sounded a bit silly but... alluring. Then there was also the fact that a silly and yet very dangerous idea had entered Hinata's mind at that.

"And you could... help me with that... too?"

Sakura turned to her, a hint of surprise and mostly curiosity. "Hm? You want to graduate too?"

Hinata nodded, and she could see it. While she was graduating later than when Itachi did, it would be a change of pace as her father wouldn't hate her as much. That and also the fact t hat she would enjoy being a kunoichi at once so...

"Y-Yeah."

...

"Fine, but that means we will have to train. Seriously. Just stick by my side, listen to my words and I will make you an independent girl."

This promise warmed Hinata's heart. And made her blush. Such a dazzling announcement can only make her poor heart skip so much before she almost faints.

After all, despite what she repeated herself at night, she may or may not...

Have a bit of a crush on her best friend while also having the same for Naruto-kun.

AN

Pinkette snatches two heiresses' hearts, the little thief!