Disclaimer: Doesn't own the characters

Claim: Owns the story

A/N: I have nothing else to say. THANK YOU SO MUCH. You don't know how much this means to me…Oh, for SasuIno fans; check out my new story :) But if you don't support them…eh, I'm alright with it XD Another short chapter T_T Sorry…

She stands up slowly, closing her laptop. She makes sure that she was moving slowly but her hair was too obvious. She was the only pink hair in the café and at once, Itachi knew it was her because Sakura was the only pink hair he knew.

"Haruno…?"

Sakura tenses. Her movement stops in mid-air. She feels as if air had been sucked out of her lungs. Taking a deep breath, she turns around with a mocking smirk.

"Yes, Uchiha…?" She knew that her voice was shaking.

After years, she was still afraid of this man who had the potential to destroy her life. She was played and thrown aside like a wasted toy. The past bites her heart and she clenches her fist. She musters up all her courage and stares straight at Itachi, forcing herself not to look down.

"Surprised you were here," Itachi says conversationally but in his voice, Sakura could feel the thorns. "Lunch time?"

"Stop the shit talks, Itachi. I heard everything you said. Aren't you satisfied that you get to play me? Why are you targeting my best friend now?"

"Is she your best friend?" he asks, shutting her down immediately. Sakura was taken aback. Itachi smirks. "Flirting around and making out with your 'best friend's' husband…do you really see her as a friend?"

Sakura bites her lips. It was true. Had she really see Hinata as a friend? All along, she betrayed her trust. She ruined their family, their marriage. Reality slithers through her heart and she glares back at Itachi bitterly.

"You know what, Itachi? If it wasn't you who flirted with me, do you think I would fall for you, get dumped and crawling around asking for Sasuke's love again? It was you who started this. Why are you doing this?" she showers him with questions. Itachi snickers.

He turns and walks towards the back door. He gestures for Sakura to follow him. The woman stares suspiciously before following Itachi. She was lead into the back streets. The Sun was blocked by the tall buildings which made the street dim. Surprisingly, the street was clean unlike the typical back streets which were usually loaded with rubbish.

Sakura crosses her arms. "Well…?"

"I have nothing to say, Haruno. I just wish you step out of this matter, or I won't hesitate to kill you." he says with a murderous aura. "This is between me and my brother so I hope you wouldn't poke your nose in this. Alright…?"

"Here," Ino hands Hinata a glass of mixed fruit juice. "Come on, cheer up. You haven't eaten for days. You will get sick." She says with concern.

Hinata looks up at Ino slowly. She did not accept the glass. "Am I a fool, Ino?" she asks for the countless time. For days she had been asking Ino the same question. The blonde sighs. She brushes away Hinata's hair which covers her forehead.

"No, you are not Hinata…you are the victim here, okay?" Ino assures her friend.

"I trusted Sakura. Why did she do this do me? What have I done to get this ending?"

Tears were starting to fall by now. Ino bites her lips. These few days, all Hinata did was cry. Ino sighs heavily again. She took out her phone and dials Gaara's number. Recently, they had just agreed to go out together. Things were working out quite well for them.

In thirty minutes, Gaara was already in the kitchen cooking. Ino was entrusted to take care of Hinata whilst Gaara did the cooking. Ino was surprised at first that he could cook. Gaara assured Ino that he knew how to cook and wouldn't blow up the kitchen. Only then, Ino left him alone to cook.

Ino pushes the bowl of curry rice towards Hinata. The blunette scoops a small spoonful of the rice and forcefully shoves it into her mouth. Ino smiles a little. At least she is eating, she thought. She wanted to call Itachi badly but she noticed that whenever she brought up that name, Hinata would turn pale.

Finally, she decided not to call.

After dinner, Gaara and Ino thought of ways to cheer Hinata up. By twelve thirty, Hinata managed to smile a little due to the small bickering Gaara and Ino had. Then it turned into sobs and eventually, a cry. Ino stops talking and turns at Hinata.

She kneels down in front of Hinata.

"Hey, you alright?" she asks softly even though she knew she was not okay.

"S-Sasuke and I used…used to be like you and Gaara too…" she whimpers. Ino looks at Gaara. The red hair shrugs.

Ino sighs.

"I'll call Sasuke over, mm' Kay?" she asks.

Hinata's head shoots up. "N-No! Please don't…!" she protests. "H-He might not want to see me."

Ino rolls her eyes. She scoops out her cell phone. "He has too." With that, she calls Sasuke, who was sleeping soundly in his room. At first the raven refuses, and then he agrees. Then he refuses again, saying he had nothing to do with Hinata anymore. Ino yells at Sasuke and hangs up.

"Bastard," she breathes angrily. Something clicked at she smiled. Her fingers dance on the screen and she hums as she types a message to someone. Gaara leans over curiously while Hinata stayed gloomy because Sasuke refused to come.

"Done~" Ino chirps as she presses send.

"H-Hinata, look at me…" the man tries again. Hinata refuses to look at him. The man looks over at Ino, asking for help. Ino ignores him, and so does Gaara. The man sighs. "Hinata…"

His soft voice made her look up. Her heart did a leap when she saw the sincerity on his face. She looks down, hiding the tiny blush that was starting to form on her cheeks.

"Ah, I'm tired!" Ino says suddenly. She drags Gaara into the bedroom. I know what you're thinking. Gaara is sleeping on the floor while Ino on the bed. "Ah, Kiba, you can sleep here if you want, okay?" With that, she closes her bedroom door.

Kiba swallows. What was he going to do with a crying Hinata now in the middle of the night?

Itachi rubs his temples.

Damn it, that woman surely knows how to play. A few hours ago, Sakua had sent him a threat via email, threatening him that all his schemes and how his father's will was formed will be out if he lays a finger on Hinata. Itachi growls lowly.

If his secret is out, his reputation will surely fall. The will would change name and he would be left with nothing. The man grits his teeth. He was forcing his brain to turn to find a way to counter back Sakura.

I will get you, Haruno. Don't you think you are the only one who knows this way of playing!

Sakura smirks. She closes her eyes with a smile on her face. Now she could sleep peacefully. Once Itachi stop, she could get on her work as the matchmaker to get Sasuke and Hinata together. Her guilt would disappear.

She could lead a happier life again.

The thoughts made her smile broader.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

The clock was showing four in the morning now. Kiba couldn't close his eyes. He could only stare at the sleeping Hinata on the bed. Once in a while, he would sit up and stares at the blunette as she sleeps. He smiles softly.

Hinata, why aren't you mine? I could give you a lot more than Sasuke.

His face falls. The smile faded. He purses his lips, a new resolution growing inside him. Since he was given the chance to approach Hinata again, he would treasure this chance. He will never let her go again.

And he will make sure that Sasuke wouldn't get her.

A/N: …Reviews are appreciated. :3 It's already midnight here, I shall take my leave. Thank you, and thank you again. Itachi's sins shall be revealed soon. Sooooo…what do you think Sakura's threat is? About Itachi's father? Because someone requested to see more of the Uchiha's past, I shall give you more. :)))