Author's Note: Hey guys! I finally updated! Sorry for the lowkey hiatus, it was honestly unintended. I've had a lot of school work to get done, and I'm on break (but my classes are still loading me with work before I get back). But to be brutally honest, I just couldn't figure out how to write this one, so it took me a while to get it done. So aside from all my excuses, here it is!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Sakura

"Are you okay?" I felt a kiss on my bare shoulder following the question. I turned to look at Hiashi in the face. I just silently nodded.

"It is our wedding night after all, and having Hinata ruin it wasn't exactly in the cards. I don't remember her ever being that bratty." He tried to comfort me. I give a sigh, and my head sinks further into the pillow. This is my first night in the Hyuga household. Sure I've been here several times, but now I live here.

I wasn't torn over the fact that Hinata had crashed my wedding. I had prepared myself to handle it. I'm torn over Naruto. He hasn't talked to me alone since my offer, and I have to tell myself he's just trying to make up his mind. That he will return by my side, because he always does.

"I know that I was her classmate and everything, but some days I feel like I barely know her. What I said at the wedding, what I said to her, I meant it. I want to be her mother, I want to take care of her. Please tell me something that will make me feel closer to her, Hiashi."

I felt his hand caress my cheek before leaning in to kiss me, "Ask, and you shall receive."

"What was she like at home?"

"Quiet, of course, it was in her nature. But a part of me always knew she had something to say. She would always hold it in because she knew her place. I had tried to train her for the responsibilities of my company, but she couldn't do it. Then Hanabi was born, and I put all my focus on her, in hopes of a more compatible heir. Hinata, refusing to believe I had given up on her, became a ninja, but I knew her heart was not one capable of that kind of life."

"How so?"

"I pushed her. I pushed her to try harder, and in the end, she was never even capable of putting a scratch on Hanabi. Not in any of their sparring matches. She always went out of her to help others, but if it meant hurting someone else she was hesitant. What kind of ninja hesitates to hurt the enemy?"

"Seems a lot has changed." I muttered and he grunted in agreement. I hesitated before furthering my questioning.

"...Has she had any other lovers aside from...Naruto?"

"...There was only one other. Part of a corporal company much like Hyuga, but he was from a different village. More of a teenage romance, if you will. Hinata was to hold meetings alongside some of my other subordinates to arrange a contract. According to Hinata's bodyguards, she had been quite close to this boy. They had never seen her smile that much. He would come out to greet her every time Hinata had business in his village, even when it was not for him. I never really interfered. Mostly because Hinata is not of much value to me, and as far as I saw it kept my relationship with his father's company in good standing. At the time, anytime I told her to visit the village for business, she accepted. I think that was the only time I have ever made her happy. That is, until she landed in prison because of him.

"There had been a rumor going around that the son was in charge of an illegal drug ring. Drugs that enhance one's chakra significantly. Usually it wouldn't be so illegal, but these drugs created killing machines out of these people. Increasing one's power so significantly that they, alone, could take out an entire village. There were rumors of that this was how this company actually made its profit. Somehow, Hinata got mixed into it. They pinned it all on Hinata. "That Hyuga Princess isn't as innocent as everyone thinks." That is what they said about her.

"After I bailed her out, I lashed at her. I didn't understand her stupidity in this situation. If she couldn't even handle love, then how could she handle anything I could ever leave behind for her. She didn't even bat an eyelash. Nothing I said was going through her head, because something else was echoing through her mind. I never quite figured out what."

I was silent once again. Hina, I am not the first one who hurt you, and I will not be the last. That asshole, Naruto? He will. As he has done so many times before. When he comes back to me, I know it'll hurt. That is why I have to protect you from him.

"What was his name?" I asked.

"His name? I believe it was Keiichi. Mori, Keiichi."

Hinata

"Are you okay?" I heard Naruto asked. I sighed as he asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Let's just say it didn't exactly go as planned." I finally told him. My body never turned to face him. The bed creaked, and I felt him move closer. He wrapped his arms around me, and I felt him sigh in my ear.

"Can I show you something?"

"What?" I asked in curiosity. He moved to get up, and I turned to watch him. "Get up." He told me. I watched him put on his clothes before following suit. "Why?"

"Why are you asking so many questions? We're going for a little walk, I want to show you something." He chuckled a bit as he told me.

We ended up at the top of the Hokage Monument. I don't think it was a coincidence that we stood on the top of his father's chiseled face. It felt more like a workout than just a walk. I drew in a deep breath before asking, "Here? Why?"

"Again with questions, young grasshopper, just look. The entire village in one glance. A thousand lives playing out below you. All the lights, and the laughs, all quieted down. Until there are only a few people in the streets, and all the candles are blown out for the night. Listen to how quiet it is, and how the only sound you hear is the stream of the river, or the chirping of the crickets. Then, look up. A common sight, but nobody seems to take the time to enjoy it. To just look at the stars, when all the lights are off, and all the noise is gone. Everybody just seems to be getting ready for tomorrow. 'Who will I see tomorrow?' 'What will I do?' Nobody forgets it for even just a second. That even in their dreams, you know all they see is tomorrow."

He had laid down on his back, and I followed suit. "Your point?"

"My point is that you are allowed to forget. Even for a minute, you are allowed to forget all the pain in your world. You are allowed to forget that people need you, or that people are trying to ruin you. You are allowed to forget that you don't trust me, and that your mom is not the person who is laying next to your father tonight. Just for tonight, because the earth will still be here tomorrow."

I was silent for a long time. Everything was flooding my mind, how did he expect me to just forget? Even for the tiniest moment?

But the moment I looked up everything in my mind washed away, and there was nothing I wanted more than to feel this forever. I let out a sigh I hadn't realized I was holding in, and looked over at Naruto. He blushed as he quickly looked away.

"What?" I reacted. He let out a small chuckle, and his eyes avoiding my gaze. He sighed and muttered, "You're beautiful."

My breath caught in my throat. No, no. Let's forget for one night, alright Hina? Before I realized what I was doing, my hand touched his. He twitched a little in surprise before letting me slide my hand in his.

"Hinata, you know I'm here for you right?"

"Shh, let's not talk about that alright? You told me to forget, so let me."

"Okay...okay."

Sakura

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Sasuke asked worriedly. I didn't bother looking up from the paperwork on my desk. "I've already married Hiashi. This isn't exactly a drastic step, I just need to do whatever it takes."

"What makes you think Hinata will comply?"

"Because I'm not giving her a choice."

Hinata

"What the hell is going on?" I snapped when I came back to my apartment. Naruto and I fell asleep at the Hokage Monument, and returned this morning to find my father's men raiding my apartment.

"Lady Hyuga has requested for you to return home." Ko explained but avoided eye contact with me. Lady Hyuga? Who the hell is Lady Hyuga—that bitch.

"This is my home! That bitch does not have any jurisdiction over me!" I snapped again. I felt Naruto grab my arm, "Calm down, you're just playing into her hand." I wanted to push him away because he was on her side, so he had no right to tell me what to do. But I stopped myself. "Fine.." I muttered. "I'll pack my own room, I have some personal items that I need to gather." I saw Ko's face turn red when he heard me say that. "Yes, Lady..Hyuga."

I cringed as I realized that we would now be sharing the same name, "Hinata." I spat at him.

I quickly closed the door behind me, and ran to my desk. Opening the drawer to all the evidence I had against Sakura. I was hoping to find the right moment to strike, but maybe I waited too long. I quickly grabbed a backpack and packed it all the documents. I need an ally. Sakura's got herself an army, and I only have me. Hell, she's even got a man on the inside.

There was a knock on my door followed by, "Hey, you need any help?" Speak of the devil. "No," I replied to Naruto, "why don't you head home? I can handle myself."

I heard him chuckle, "I know you can handle myself, but I can stick around." I sighed, "No, go home. Take a shower or something, and relax. Everything's going to be okay." Sakura's probably waiting for you. He was quiet for a moment before replying, "Okay." I heard him leave before continuing to pack my things. I quickly threw a bunch of my clothes into some of my other luggage as to not make it look suspicious. I walked out before looking at my father's men continuing to pack my things. "You can finish up my room, right? Just a couple of small things, shouldn't be too hard. I have business to attend to."

"Lady Hyuga requests you be home before 7 o'clock for dinner." Ko muttered. I turned around to face him, "She gave me a curfew?" He looked away again. I repeated myself, louder and closer, "She gave me a curfew?" He finally looked at me with more confidence in his eyes this time, "Yes, Hinata." I turned away, and left him standing there. Two can play at this game, Sakura.

"Hinata, you're over early today." Kurenai looked at me with a surprised look on her face, "I heard about what happened at Sakura's wedding. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you." She pulled me into a hug. I gave her a small smile when she pulled away, "Is Kiba over? I know he likes to come over early." She kissed my forehead and replied with a smile, "Yeah, he's just taking a walk, should be in soon. Come on in." She lead me in before pouring me some tea. I set down my backpack, and Hana ran over to me, "Hina!" She giggled when she reached me. I gave out a small laugh, "Hey Hana."

"Ahh, Kurenai! There are so many bugs out here it's like Shino's trying to mock me two villages away!" Kiba walked in rubbing the back of his head, but he stopped for a brief second when he saw me. Before saying, "Goodness, Hinata. I was gonna come by later. Are you okay?" I gave him a reassuring smile, "I'll be fine. Where's Shino?

"He's out on a mission. Why?

I have some business to talk to you about."

"So," Kiba started while he looked over the documents one last time, "what you're saying is that Sakura is trying to hide your father's embezzling by going out of her way to kill members of opposing companies that know a little too much?"

"Bingo."

"But why? What's her purpose? Why would she even bother going through all that trouble?" Kiba kept questioning. His mind trying to wrap around the idea that Sakura, their classmate, the one whom everyone loves, was going through so much trouble for an old man.

"Maybe it's for the money." He tried to answer. I shook my head, "No, this is something much more than that, I believe she's hiding something."

"Something other than her pregnancy?"

"Something bigger than that. Something that haunts her so badly that she's going to such great lengths to never have to face it." I gave him a look that repeated the question I had asked him from the start.

"I'm in. Because what she's doing is protecting herself while throwing others before her for her defense, because she is not in the right mind to take what is not hers, and because you're my family, and even if I was in love with Sakura I would still run to your defense first." I smiled at his words. I stood up and leaned forward to where he sat, and placed a kiss on his forehead. The same way he had done when he had forgiven me.

"Thank you, Kiba." He blushed before quickly stating, "I-I'll let Shino know, too. He'd do anything to protect you too, ya know?"

I nodded before glancing at the time reading 6:00 PM. "I gotta go, alright? I have a thing, but I'll talk to you soon." I waved and rushed out of the door.

My heart was racing. And it wasn't because I was running the whole way just to get here. The thumps were echoing through my ears. Besides, I have never done anything like this before. But I have to do this. My finger pressed the button right next to the door. I heard a buzzing sound echoing from the inside. Two. Three minutes. Is he not home? I decided to take my chance and press the doorbell again. Just as I did the door swung open to a Naruto with a towel hanging around his neck to catch the dripping water from his wet hair. He was in nothing but shorts. I blushed, even if I had seen it all before. Why did he have to catch me off guard? Especially when I was about to do something as bold as this.

"Hinata? What are you doing here?" He gave his signature grin.

"U-um I-I was just gonna ask you something." Was that a fucking stutter? God, why am I even getting worked up about it. He seemed to have noticed my stuttering too as he leaned onto the doorframe with his arms crossed, his grin grew wider. What is my problem?

Maybe it's because

You have always wanted this.

Ever since you were a little girl.

You

have always

wanted

this.

"Would you like to go to dinner with me?"

You have always wanted to step up

For him to notice you

And now you can have it.

Your chance

To love him.

But I am not that little girl anymore.

And I am not blind anymore.

And I am not hopeless anymore.

And I don't need a hero.

I have me.

Because I can fight for myself.

Because I am strong now.

Because I can see the reality I live in.

And with everything, I must protect that little girl.

"Sure, Hinata!"

Naruto

"Sure, Hinata!"

Yes, this is my chance.

To make her fall in love with me

All over again.

She hesitated for a second before smiling, "Great! Sakura says I have to be home for dinner, and I was hoping you could come and keep me company. I would just die if I had to sit through that alone!"

And my smile almost faded. Dinner with Sakura?

I have to go. To protect Hinata from Sakura. From what she might do.

"Hurry and get dressed. Dinner is at 7!" I glanced at the clock to see 6:30.

"Right! I'll be right back!" I gave her one last grin before I went in.

"So this is the boy you've been seeing." Hiashi prompted as we began to eat.

"Father, you know him. Does the term 'Savior of the Shinobi World' ring a bell?" I heard Hinata say.

"I see you've grown quite a mouth on you. Did your parting from this house make you forget all of your manners?" He answered back. Oh come on, Hinata. We just got here, I secretly pleaded. I squeezed her hand under the table to remind her to behave. She looked back down on her plate before looking back up with a smile on her face. "Oh, that reminds me, where is Hanabi? Shouldn't she be having dinner as well?"

Sakura spoke up, "She went out with a couple of friends. I gave her a curfew of course, but I just wanted this dinner to be for adults."

"What is Hanabi? Sixteen? We were out fighting a war at that age, I think she qualifies as an adult." I responded to Sakura.

"Yes, well, different generation." Sakura says with a smile. "I also hoped this would be a private family dinner."

I almost scoffed, but Hinata did it in my place. She faced Sakura, "Mad that I brought your boy-toy?"

Sakura seemed stunned at the statement. Hiashi retaliated by taking the glass of water in his hand, and splashing it onto Hinata. "Is this how you act? In my house! You should be lucky to be sitting here in this place once again! I showed you mercy because your mother has begged for it! Now that you're back you think you can belittle and hurt those around you? You are so selfish! Childish! You should be kissing her feet, and thanking her!"

Hinata looked her father straight in her eyes, "She is not my mother, and she never will be. Just how you are not her lover, and you never will be."

He slammed his fist against the table before grabbing at the fabric over his chest. Sakura quickly rushed, and called for someone to bring her his medicine. She then ordered for them to take him to his room, as she quickly followed behind.

I turned to Hinata. Was this your plan all along? She stood up and muttered, "I'm going to clean myself up." Before leaving the room.

After some time, Sakura came back, and only then did I notice her kimono that she wore. The fabric wrapping itself perfectly around her figure. She sat back down in her seat at the table.

"Was this your idea?" She started first.

"No, a part of me knew something like this would happen, but it wasn't my idea."

"Then why are you here?" She questioned. I decided I would play into Sakura's game.

"Why are you here? You don't belong here. Not in this house. Not with these people. This is a whole new ballgame. What makes you think that you'll be good at it?"

"I do what I have to to survive."

I scoffed, "I think I'd consider this a whole lot more than just surviving."

She frowned a little, and tried to avoid my gaze, "I did what I had to in order to protect you."

Dumplings. Yep, Sakura likes dumplings. Who doesn't? That's why I decided to go out and buy her some, so when she was done with this boring meeting we could eat them together. I grinned to myself at the thought.

Sakura was taking care of some business. I think she started interning for the Hyugas or something. I don't know something about needing a little more cash to help her get by. She's a doctor and everything, but she's so sympathetic she gives her patients (who can't afford it) crazy discounts. Which of course comes out of her paycheck. She has enough to get by, but she's always talking about the future. Always planning ahead. Of course we live together, bought our own house and everything, and honestly I had started taking on extra missions to try and help her out. There was no struggle for money, she just had a desire for more than she needed. I always found it odd because she was never a big spender either. But she always put it away, somewhere, and I never really knew how much she had. But I could tell she had a sense of security behind all of it.

But our time spent together had been cut short lately, and I honestly missed her. Her meeting was at a fancy hotel, and sure it was with some guy, but Sakura can take care of herself.

So I arrived at the door of the hotel room, and decided I should wait until they leave to make my presence known. But just as I decided that the door swung open, and Sakura looked right at me with so much fear in her eyes that it scared me to know something could have scared her that much. "Naruto." She called before quickly pulling me in and shutting the door behind her.

"What are you doing here? Did anyone else come?" There was so much panic in her eyes.

"No, I came to see you so we could—" I dropped the bag of food when I saw red staining onto the floorboards. I walked over further to see the man the red belonged to.

"Sakura, what happened?" I turned to see her sink to the floor with her knees pulled into her chest. I could see tears streaming down her face.

"My life is over, Naruto."

"Hey, hey! Look at me what are you talking about? What happened?" I nearly yelled at her. This meeting was supposed to be domestic right? Just an interview, right? This wasn't a mission. This wasn't a kill mission.

"Isn't it obvious, Naruto! I killed him! I killed him! I didn't mean to. I was just trying to protect myself. He was trying to hurt me!"

"What happened, Sakura? Tell me what happened." I said softly this time, and placed myself next to her on the floor.

"I-I was just trying to go through this stupid interview, a-and he kept looking at me like I was some piece of meat. He started touching me, Naruto. I didn't know what to do. I was so scared, and I froze and I didn't know what to do. A-and I don't know what he did, but no matter what I tried to do to hurt him, to get away, he suppressed it all. A-and I don't know i-if it was his jutsu or something, but I could feel my strength leaving me. A-and he pushed me onto the bed, a-and he tore at my clothes. A-and I didn't know what to do so I grabbed the bottle of champagne a-and broke it over his head. H-he yelled, and I-I managed to get him off of me, a-and he started bleeding, and I was too scared to see if he was going to be alright. I-I just wanted it to end. A-and now my life is over."

"You're life isn't over, Sakura." I could feel my fist clench in anger at the situation, but I had to take care of her too, "It's alright. Just report it as self-defense. He tried to rape you."

"You don't get it, Naruto! They won't believe me! T-they'll ask me where my proof is, they'll blame it on me! 'Well, you asked for it!' 'That's what she gets for being a huge slut, she probably just wants his money!' 'She'll ruin his family. First she murders him, now she's got to bankrupt his family too?' Do you know how hard it is to prove that he wanted to rape me? I'll end up in jail, and all my credibility will be gone, and my life will be over."

"Sakura, you gotta go through the system. If you tried to hide what happened here, it'll only prolong your sentence." I had to face the situation.

"I-I can't. After everything I've done for myself. I've gotten so far, I-I can't just throw it all away."

"No one is telling you to throw it away, Sakura. You'll be gone six months at the most. Because they'll take into account that you are a trained killer, and they'll know that in some of these situations, accidents happen. So you won't rot in a cell for a couple of years. You'll be out and six months, and I'll still be here, and I'll still be in love with you. And if you have to start over then I'll be right there with you."

"I-I said I can't! My life will be over! I've worked so hard for myself, I can't sink back to where I started. I can't go back to that piece of shit place!"

Where? The place your mother took care of you before your father left? Or the place that I took care of you when he did?

"Weren't you listening to me, Sakura? Your life isn't over...because you weren't even here...You got sick, and I didn't want you to go out, so I went to the meeting in your place. Said some things I didn't like. Called me a monster, and everything. Said I may have saved the world, but that doesn't change the fact that I am what I am. Because to defeat evil you gotta get down to their level, and you gotta beat it at it's own game. I let him get the best of me, I lashed out, and I killed him." In the midst of my talking, I had long since gotten up, and started cleaning the room. I hadn't even realized what I was doing.

"N-Naruto! What are you doing? W-What are you talking about?" Sakura stared into my back as I focused on cleaning.

"I'm talking about what happened. You should get out of here. I'm going to report myself, soon. You need to get out of here."

"I-I can't do that!"

I crouched back down so I was looking her right in the eye, "Sakura, it's you or me. I've got nothing to live for...except you. If I can't protect you then my life is over."

She hesitated for a moment before quickly grabbing her things, she was about to leave before quickly turning back to look at me, "Why are you doing this?"

"I'd do anything for you, Sakura."

"You did it to protect yourself."

Author's Note: That's all for now folks! Hopefully I can update again really soon, and I'm sorry for the long wait! So there was a little bit (lot) of inner conflict in this one, along with a dark(ish) twist at the very end there! So what you are about to see is drama sugarcoated with drama (maybe? I don't know if I'm good at being dramatic). I even added a little chiasmus in there (not that it's any good) (and that literary device usage tho). Sorry guys, the lingering memories of my exam cramming days still haunt me. Anyway, let me know if you find my poor attempt at it.

Btw, I just finished the manga! Everything did and didn't turn out the way I expected. I started this before I finished reading it, but man, I was really off about some things. Anyway, no spoilers! For those who haven't read it yet, or plan on watching the anime! (Although both is recommended).

And yeah, for those of you who think I'm siding and sympathizing with Sakura a little more. I got to give her reason to be where she is, ya know? And what's with the back and forth lashing out with Hinata? You think she's being to childish? (Hopefully, I'm not writing her off as annoying) And her feelings for Naruto are so on and off what up with that? I adore Hinata! I do! And I want her suffering to end already! But as a masochist at heart, I feel the need to make myself cry when I'm writing. (What a weirdo.)

But thanks for reading guys! Let me know if you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer. Plus, criticism is still always welcome.

Like it? Hate it? Let me know!

And I'll catch you guys next time! Thanks for reading!