A/N: Yes, a new fic, I got to do it! I got to see more of Naruto (although I already know how it ends) and then I started to look a pics, shit, I saw this one cute picture of Hinata and Sasuke together. I was like, wow, that is so cute. I also still hate how she seems to be a rebound, fall-back girl for Naruto. She is an amazing character and it is like Naruto suddenly decides that he won't get Sakura so Hinata will do. Screw that, she's been cuter and more likeable for years, so fuck him for not seeing it earlier. No, I don't hate Naruto or even Sakura. I actually like Sakura's character in most cases but after the actual ending and seeing more of the war, I hate her relationship with Sasuke. (Why I probably won't finish my Saving Sasuke fic). I just don't see it anymore, it is annoying. A true (and sane) kuniochi does NOT worry whether or not the guy she has feelings for has noticed her during a war. People are fucking dying around you, who gives a nun's ass if he has noticed anything about you. Dammit bitch, beautiful and perfect Neji was killed, who cares what Sasuke is thinking! Also, with how he doesn't spend much time with her and his family says enough. I don't care for whatever reason. My daughter said something about some new enemy, blah blah. If that enemy wasn't shooting a gatlin gun at his ass 24/7/356 for years, then he had no excuse. Okay, rant is over.

Warnings: There will be slight, very slight character bashing in this chapter, not bad or anything, just an opinion. Okay, so don't worry about me doing it the entire story or every chapter. There is langauge in this chapter but that is all.

Extra Notes: The pairings are Sasuke x Hinata and Itachi x Ino, they are NOT up for change. It is what I desire and I hope it is what you want to read since you clicked on the fic. There won't be a lot of explanation on the plot in the first two chapters, so please just bare with me while I put it all together. Also, I can't find any info on Madara's children but I'm sure the man didn't die a virgin and I'm sure for many years he was getting some action, so I'm running with it. Thnx!

Disclaimer: Don't own it and don't make any profit.

.

.

.

Chapter One

The hectic day was finally over with, except for a few stains she had made it out without any lasting scars. Ino didn't want to complain about the extra work because she needed the pay. Since the end of the war over a year ago, things had been slow. There wasn't much in the way of missions, so hospital work was the only way to make anything. With the death of her father during the war, her mother had decided to close the shop and retire. Now that she was living alone, she couldn't miss out on work just because she didn't feel like getting out of bed.

That was exactly how she felt earlier this morning when she had woken up. The birds had made it worse, chirping happily outside of her window. Sure, they were happy because they didn't have to go into work and deal with a bunch of sick people. There was a nasty virus going around that had people shitting and puking all over the place, mostly on her scrubs. The virus ran its course in five days but during those five days the patient couldn't keep down any food or water. Each one was put on an IV tube to keep them hydrated and from getting feverish.

"Ino!" Choji was screaming from behind, waving a hand to get her attention. Not far behind was his latest girlfriend. She couldn't recall her name but it was one of the kuniochi from Lightning. It was rarer to see one of the two alone than together these days.

"Choji," Ino tried her best to smile at them. She wasn't really in the mood to be social right now but she wouldn't be rude to them. If she could handle Shika's relationship then she wouldn't try to deny Choji his right to find someone. Not everyone was meant to end up alone like herself.

"Are you up for barbeque?" Choji wanted her to come along for dinner. Shikamaru and Temari were also joining them and he didn't want to share his news without everyone there. He wanted Ino to be one of the first ones to know.

"I don't think so, I pulled a double, and I think I'm going to head on home and get some rest." Ino didn't want to be around the couple right now. She really was tired and she had a headache. If she went out there, there was also a good chance that she'd end up catching a glimpse of others. Others like Hinata and Naruto, or Sakura and Sasuke. She didn't want to see Forehead with Sasuke for damn sure.

It had been easier than she'd thought to let go of her childhood crush. It had begun to die not long after he had turned rogue and had continued to dim for years. Being around others let her know that she really didn't have real emotions for the Uchiha survivor, more like a fixation of what she thought she wanted. Oh, she still wanted the same things when it came to a man but she wasn't currently in love with someone. She wanted a man that was strong, secure, reliable, sexy, smart, and attentive. The only thing she knew for sure that Sasuke Uchiha possessed was that he was sexy and strong. When it came down to it, she didn't know him that well, only what he represented.

What she did know was that after returning he had been spending a lot of his free time with his former team, which included Sakura. Rumor was that the two were working on a relationship and would end up together. If that happened then she was glad for him, if it was what BOTH of them wanted. What she wanted was to find the correct person for herself and not hold onto childish fantasies of things that didn't exist.

"Are you sure?" Choji asked one last time in hopes that he could get her to come along long enough to get something to eat. "You might feel better after getting something good to eat, I always do."

"I don't have much of an appetite after dealing with vomit all day long. I really just want to head home and get some sleep, perhaps another time." She gave him a smile and was polite enough to wave towards the awaiting kunoichi. The two really did make a cute couple and they seemed happy together. Hell, these days the only ones that were single were Tenten and she. The weapons master wasn't seeing anyone right now and Ino could understand the reason not to. Why date when you weren't sure who you wanted?

She had to be confused if she wasn't sure if she had ever really wanted THAT. Her stomach clenched seeing the two pairs walking in their direction. Naruto was cheerfully talking while holding Hinata's hand and Sakura was walking beside them. Trailing behind the trio was the Uchiha, arms crossed and his gaze elsewhere. Ino would guess that he wasn't really looking at anything but gazing at something only he could see. Today he wore all black, his hair loose and framing his forehead. Sure, he still looked good but there was more to a man than his face.

Ino had learned her lesson big time when it came to that sour point. She had tried desperately to flirt with Sai a few times once everything had calmed. At first he had seemed attentive and receptive until they had gone on a single date. The entire time he had sat at the dinner table with that fake smile. She had asked why he had agreed to come along and he said that a book he read said it was the correct way to respond to a girl when asked out. What the hell did that even mean? He'd gone out with her because it would have been impolite to say no? Did he even understand the concept of the reason she had wanted to spend time alone with him? It was such a headache, not one she wanted to repeat for a chance to get closer to Sai. He was cute but not for her, some other poor woman could deal with the complex enigma that was Sai.

And she sure didn't want the kind of relationship that poor Hinata had. It was sad, even she could see it. It being that Hinata was nothing more than a second choice for the Hero of Konoha. Ino didn't doubt that Naruto cared for the girl in some way but that was about it. Hinata had been beating Forehead in the hot department for years but Naruto had never noticed before the end of the war. Did the idiot happen to open his eyes one day and shout 'Oh my, Hinata is a babe'? If it were Ino, she would feel like said guy was settling because he didn't think he could ever get who he really wanted. Why after so long was he suddenly into Hinata? Yet, it wasn't her being used as a rebound and it wasn't her mistake to make.

"Alright, but I want to stop by and see you in the morning," Choji still wanted to be the one to tell her. As long as he caught her before she ran into one of the others, he'd be able to break the news to her.

"That's fine, I have tomorrow off," Tomorrow was Forehead's day to take the double shift. Were all of them heading to the same place? Whatever, she wasn't in the mood to hang out tonight. "I'll see you tomorrow, Choji."

She left the smiling shinobi with his girlfriend and headed back in the direction of home. The direction now put her heading towards the group that was most likely joining the others for barbeque. She tried to keep a smile on her face while walking by and greeting them. It was almost impossible not to laugh seeing the way the one official couple held hands. It was more like two people struck with rigamortis, than affectionate handholding. Was it just her or was the smile on the Hyuuga's face stressed?

.

.

.

.

.

It was this place again, Ino recognized it immediately the moment she came to be. It was on top of the monument but it wasn't. It was hard to decipher exactly how she knew that something was amiss with the monument. She couldn't see the Hokage faces, not from where she was standing. Perhaps it was the view that extended past the edge of the mountain side that gave it away.

There was no sign of life to be seen or heard, as if the world itself had been frozen in place. All except her because she could still move, she spun to get a better look of her surroundings. Behind her wasn't right, a volcano didn't exist that close to the village. The landscape itself was dead, dried up from being abandoned by life itself. The illness of where she stood made her stomach crawl with apprehension and despair. She'd had nightmares plenty of times but none that made her wish to wake so soon.

This had to be a dream, Konoha didn't look like this. How could the village thrive with such rot nearby? Why did she feel like she'd been here before? Why did she want to walk forward and get a better glimpse of the village below?

"Do not be afraid," the voice caressed her ear, startling her from the silent musings.

Ino spun to see who had joined her in this rather morbid dream. Not once had she figured that this man would be conjured up, there would be no reason for him to be in her dreams. It wasn't even the man that had been in the war, nowhere close to the shinobi that had tried to destroy her home. There was no mistaking the long hair, the eyes, or the face that was filled with wrinkles. What was he doing in her nightmare?

"You seem confused but not shocked," The Uchiha strolled by the blonde girl, having already taken in her appearance. The long blonde hair, the delicate form, and the slender fingers, "You're as beautiful as your mother, but I am not shocked that you should take after her."

"This is a nightmare, I am not having a conversation with you, and how do you know my mother?" Ino tightened her fists, hating the way she was so easily dismissed as a threat, even if it were just a dream. Sure, it was her dream and she knew he would wipe the floor with her but did her dream-self have to be seen as weak as well? Why the hell was she dreaming of Madara anyways? She couldn't get Sasuke so she was opting out for the older grandpa version? It really was a nightmare.

"Because I was the one that chose her," The man stopped short of stepping over the edge of the monument, his gaze directly on the village below. The old armor looked torn and heavy, there were also knots in the thick hair. "Tell me, what do you see below?"

"Nothing because I'm not walking to the edge so you can shove me off." She did not want to test the theory of dying if you dream of falling off someplace really high up. Her luck it would happen and even dream-Ino knew not to trust the man.

"Wise, if unnecessary. I shall tell you what I see," He didn't bother to turn back to see if she were paying attention. "I see a lie, a hideous and disgusting village based on untruth, deceit, and bigotry."

"Yeah, no shock there, everyone already knows that you didn't like the village. Is there a point to all of this?" Ino wanted to wake up and lecture herself. This is what she got for letting her mind wander before going to sleep. Was it so wrong to contemplate how often Sakura got kissed? Or to try to decide if that relationship would really go anywhere? So because she had gone to bed wondering if there was really something there to keep Forehead so faithful, she ended up dreaming of the only Uchiha she was worthy of? Why else would she conjure up one that was well over five hundred with a seriously bad attitude and outlook on life?

"As a child you use to wonder," the man crossed his arms before finally turning to face her. "You were curious as to why your Mommy and Daddy weren't like all the others. Why your Mommy was never happy like another's parents."

She almost asked how he knew that but remembered that this was her dream so of course the monster she had conjured up knew of all her secrets and past thoughts. Why bring up something from her childhood? She couldn't be the only child to ever wonder why her parents didn't act like a normal married couple. Her Mom just hadn't been a very attentive woman and her Dad had been okay with it, no big deal. Not every woman liked to hold hands and cuddle, or even have sex on a normal, healthy basis. "Like you would know."

"Did she weep at his death?" That was a personal question and rather rude. The man was however waiting for an answer.

"Of course she did," Ino was positive she had been distressed and had shed a few tears. It hadn't been the full out busting tears and her mother hadn't thrown herself into the grave with her old man in an attempt to join him but every wife of a shinobi has to prepare herself for his death, especially when there is a war. "Why the hell would you even ask me something like that?"

"I hear she shed many at mine, in private naturally. It wouldn't have boded well for that old man to realize."

"What are you talking about and why am I even dreaming of you?" She'd rather have a nightmare about Sasuke calling her fat and telling her about how much of a better kuniochi Forehead was. There was no way her mother had shed a tear for this man. "Of all the Uchiha I had to bring into a fantasy, it just had to be Madara-Fucking-Uchiha."

"I am not my father," the man had an eerie smile on his face. "Our time is short, but I will visit you once more, after you have learned the truth. Your mother still lives, seek her out, ask her of Mahan Uchiha, and demand the truth of your birth. Go now, someone demands your attention."

.

.

.

.

.

The pounding on the door caused Ino to stir, the noise echoing throughout the small home. Seeing as the urgent banging was continuing, it meant her mother was most likely already gone for the day and she would have to get the damn door. She slowly threw her legs over the edge of the mattress, assuming it was only Choji on the other side trying to get her attention. He knew how hard she slept after working a double and he was lucky she had to piss or she wouldn't bother getting out of bed.

Whatever he had to say couldn't be that important, she was still exhausted. Probably from that damn nightmare, why couldn't she forget this one either? It was staying with her just like the one where Sai had turned into the undead and tried to eat her brain. That rather enchanting fantasy had ended with him eating Forehead's brain and telling her that he no longer needed someone stupid.

"Coming," she stretched both arms over head and yawned. Not bothering to slip on anything else, she padded to the front door in her jammies. Most of her friends had already seen her in a bathing suit so it was no big deal. As long as it wasn't a totally hot guy, she didn't care to do anything about the fresh out of bed hair either.

There was crust in her eyes, her bladder was pinching, and her mouth tasted like stale feces. Her breath had to be killer too. That didn't prevent whomever was on the other side from knocking again. "I'm coming, dammit, give me a break."

She noticed that the chain was no longer on, her mother had left the house. Probably out with friends or doing some shopping. 'Ask her of Mahan Uchiha and the truth of your birth'. Why did that have to pop in her head? Yeah, she could just imagine how well that would go over. 'Hey Mom, by chance do you know a Mahan Uchiha?' With how cranky her mother had been these last few weeks, she would end up in the hospital as well.

"I was sleeping, Choji." Ino groaned as she opened the door to greet her former teammate. Instead of a hefty and smiling male, it was a busty and frowning female. It definitely wasn't Choji or Shikamaru waking her up this early. "Uh, sorry Hinata, I thought you were Choji. Come inside, but give me a few moments to wake up."

"Kay," Hinata was glad that the girl wasn't terribly upset about being woken up this early. She knew that Ino had pulled a double yesterday but she didn't know who else to talk to and she knew the blonde would give her an honest opinion. If she went to any other girl, they would tell her she was being foolish and that they would give anything to be in her place. All the girls that she worked with were always going on about how lucky she was. "Would you like me to make some coffee?"

"That would be great," Ino would love some since she wouldn't be going back to sleep. She needed something to help her wake up or she would be zoning out while they talked. If the raven girl was here this early it was to talk, "I'll be right back."

Hinata went to the small kitchen and dug through the cabinets. The home was smaller than their last but she understood Ino's mother needing a change after the war. It must have been hard to lose her husband, just like it had been hard on her to lose her cousin. If he were here, she would also ask him for an opinion on the matter. Although, she didn't think Neji would have been that great with love advice but he would have tried to be honest with her.

The kettle was placed on the stove to heat up the water since all she could find was the instant to use. At least the dishes were clean, every time she went over to make a meal for her boyfriend, she would always have to do some cleaning first. The Hero of Konoha had a few habits that she was finding hard to overlook now that she was getting closer to him.

First, was his habit of being a complete slob, it was beyond being a little messy. It was no wonder his place was always contaminated with cockroaches. Being clean wasn't really a priority but after being raised in her family compound her entire life, she did like things to be in order. It was starting to anger her because two days after she would spend hours cleaning up the mess, she'd return to find a new mess. It was hard to spend time cuddling or talking when things were crawling up her arms. Last week she had gotten up to head to the restroom and her foot had stepped down on a clean shirt, that was on the floor, right into a half-eaten bowl of stale noodles. She had gotten a bit peeved because she recognized the shirt as one she had washed three days prior. Instead of putting the laundry up after she had dropped it off, he had simply tossed it onto the floor without care.

The second bad habit was the pulling away during romantic moments. Things like suddenly pulling away to do something while hugging, or yanking away during a kiss to go get food, and releasing her hand for no reason. Hinata wasn't even sure if he realized that he was doing it. What she did realize is that almost every time they did something physically romantic as a couple, she was the one initiating the contact. Whenever they walked together she would grab his hand, and she would be the one to begin the parting kiss.

His largest and most annoying habit was the reason she was here to speak to the blonde med-nin. It was also the habit that was slowly making her want to give up. Every time Sakura was around, she came second in his attentions. At first the hints had been subtle but as time drug on, it was becoming more and more obvious. Last night, even the Uchiha had noticed what was going on. That smirk had made her want to weep and run out of the place like a child.

Knowing for years that the blonde shinobi had a crush on his comrade hadn't waved her resolve or her feelings when it came to him. Yet after finally believing that she had a chance, that he would finally see her, it was disheartening that the pink kuniochi garnered more of his attention at times. All last night Naruto had kept speaking to Sakura, despite her own attempts on conversing with the one at her side. Often, her hand would be released in order for her boyfriend to run along to greet the other female. Was it wrong for her to get upset that he didn't have the patience to greet the other kunoichi together? The two had seen each other the day prior but her boyfriend was still so happy and anxious to get to the other female. What did that mean for herself?

"I warn you, I didn't take a shower before crashing so I may not smell the best." Ino plopped down at the table noticing that the places were already set for them. Just what she needed, coffee with extra sugar, and something for the headache soon, "What brings you to my door? I thought you and Naruto normally spent the weekends together."

"We do," it was just that she really needed to talk to someone. Naruto wouldn't wake up for another few hours so she had time and the reason they made the weekends special was because a certain someone worked the weekends. "I feel awful, I'm starting to feel like such a horrible person."

"Huh?" Ino stopped stirring in the third spoonful at the outburst. What the hell? What would make Hinata worry about being a horrible person? The kunoichi was the sweetest, calmest, and most patience that she knew. If anyone would ever being accused of being a horrible bitch, it would be herself. "I doubt you have it in you to be horrible."

"I am, I keep telling myself that I'm overreacting but I still get upset." Hinata watched the spoon go for more sugar. Her own had yet to be touched, "I don't like being angry at one of my friends but I can't help it."

"Okay," Ino placed the spoon aside seeing the other girl on the verge of tears. Obviously Hinata had come to her door for a much needed girl talk. "First, tell me what you are getting upset about and why it makes you feel like a horrible person?"

"Well," she wasn't sure where to start. "You know I'm with Naruto now and have been for over eight months. Yet, I'm constantly feeling jealous whenever Sakura is around, maybe not jealous really, but insecure and irritated."

Ino almost laughed but refrained knowing it was inappropriate right now. Hinata was only feeling what came natural because the girl was smart enough to realize that not all was well in paradise. "Okay, tell me why you feel irritated, what causes these feelings to stir?"

The old habit of fidgeting had her hands occupied beneath the table. She didn't want to sound like she was whining but this was the purpose of coming over. It might help to get it all out, so she could work through it. "Whenever Sakura is around, he acts different with me. I mean, it is just small, unimportant things and I'm probably just overreacting."

"Hinata," Ino already knew where this was going but would let her get it off of her chest. "If something in his actions is causing you discomfort or to have negative feelings then it is important and you are not overreacting. Now, what exactly are these things he is doing?"

"He barely speaks to me, he pulls away from me constantly when she is with us." Hinata felt the sting of tears, "If he sees her, he'll run from me and run to her. Last night, he completely forgot that I was with him to keep talking to her. Even when I asked him something, it was like I hadn't spoken at all. I thought I had spoken too low, so I said it again but right as I got his attention, she said something, and his attention strayed again. I wasn't the only one that noticed."

"I'm sure you weren't," Ino was sure everyone at the table had noticed. The only idiot that wouldn't realize that what he was doing was hurtful was the one doing it. "Did anyone remark on his behavior or try to bring you into the conversation?"

"Well, Choji tried a few times but Naruto would speak over me. No one else did anything or commented on it, but Sasuke did look like he wanted to laugh at me. He probably thinks I'm pathetic as well," Hinata knew there was a problem if others saw it.

"Who cares what he thinks, he is probably hoping the two end up together so Forehead will stop hounding him." Ino knew it wouldn't happen and felt like shit seeing the hurt look. "Sorry, what I'm saying, Hinata, is that you aren't imagining things. I know this is going to hurt but others have been talking about it for months now."

"They have?" How horrible! Was she always the last to know? People were gossiping about her relationship? What were they saying? Did they know something that she didn't? "I know he used to have feelings for her but I thought they were gone since we started dating."

"Do you want my opinion?" Ino waited for the positive shake before continuing. "It might be harsh but I'm telling you as a friend. Everyone has noticed that he still has strong feelings for Forehead. Honestly, don't you find it odd that he suddenly started paying you more attention the moment that it is confirmed that Sasuke was back? I know you made your intentions clear during the war, you let him know that you cared for him and wanted to be with him, and I give you props for going after what you want. However, you should see what the rest of us do. We all see a very beautiful, talented, strong, and wonderful kunoichi but why did it take Naruto so long to see it? He didn't return your affections before or even pay much attention to you. Sure, he considered you as a friend and ally, but he considered me and Tenten the same way. It has always been Sakura, up until the end of the war. Don't fool yourself, someone can't just transfer their feelings with a switch or by wishful thinking. He's still in love with Sakura and he settled on you when he realized that she would never give up on Sasuke. With his rival in love coming back into the picture, he latched onto someone else to cope with his lost chance."

It hurt to hear it spoken so plainly but Hinata knew that Ino wouldn't say such things if the blonde didn't believe what she was saying. The med-nin could be bitchy on some days but she was an honest friend and didn't lie for the sake of being gentle. It was all true and there for her to see, all she had to do was realize that her eyes were finally open and accept what couldn't be changed. The attention distractions, the way he still shouted Sakura's name, and the eagerness to spend time with the other female. Add in feeling unappreciated and that her attentions weren't really being enjoyed. "What do you think I should do?"

"Dump him! I know you've had feelings for him for years but how long are you going to wait until he falls out of love with another woman? You don't deserve to be someone's rebound or fall-back girl. You deserve someone that will see you for the treasure that you are and someone that will love you unconditionally." Ino took a sip of her coffee, glad that her words hadn't caused the other girl to burst into tears, but Hinata was a lot stronger than many gave her credit for.

"Right," Hinata rolled the suggestion around in her head, realizing that the course of action had already been there in the back of her mind. When she had felt so unwanted last night, the thought had taken a firm root in her thoughts. She didn't like feeling negative emotions and if she tried to discuss them, Naruto truly didn't see anything wrong with his behavior. The one and only time she had tried to bring it up, his answer had been, 'It's just Sakura.' Well, that just Sakura was someone he hadn't let go of. "The sad thing is, when I think about ending things, I'm more relieved than upset."

"That is a sign that deep down, a part of you was already prepared for this outcome. It is okay to be a little upset, you are bound to be disappointed, angry, and a bit hurt. You just tried to give your heart to an idiot and he laughed at the offer while cheerfully grasping Forehead's flat ass. Sorry, long night." Ino really didn't have anything against Sakura, most of the time. She was more on Hinata's side at the moment because in a way, Sakura was egging on the idiot's behavior. She had noticed that Sakura was all smiles whenever Naruto would leave Hinata standing in the middle of the street to run up to talk to her. Several times, she had been the one to call out to insist that the Hyuuga should come join them. Forehead should try distancing herself from Naruto if she weren't enjoying the attention but it wasn't happening. Ino honestly figured that it was a strategy on Forehead's part. It was a way of letting Sasuke know that Naruto could easily take his place if the Uchiha didn't act soon. Seeing as the two had always been rivals of some kind, it was actually a brilliant plan, but Hinata was the one suffering for it.

"Is that how you felt when you realized that you and Sasuke would never you know?" Hinata asked, proud of being able to keep a steady voice while doing so. She was upset still but she wasn't going to cry about it, she was stronger than that. All she could do was try, she couldn't force someone to love her. If Naruto still loved Sakura, then the kindest thing she could do would be to let him go.

"Hell no, I mean, I think he's still hot. Don't get me wrong, he's one hell of a catch but I just don't feel it anymore. Not long after he came back, I knew that I just wasn't that into him anymore. He still has some qualities that I find attractive but that is all. I would say Sakura is welcome to him but I don't think they are right for each other." Ino topped off her cup and was glad to see that Hinata was starting to nurse her own cup. "Between you and me, I think Sakura is an idiot."

"Why?" Hinata didn't want to hear trash talk about the other kuniochi because it was the same one that was causing trouble in her relationship, she was honestly curious as to why Ino would say such a thing about their friend.

"I know at one point I was all over the entire Sasuke thing like the rest of the girls our age." Ino couldn't believe she had fawned over him that much. "I still care about him as a friend and a comrade but that is all. I see Sakura as an idiot and you as brilliant for one reason, you have common sense. I mean Naruto is merely treating you unjust and shitty, for certain reasons, but you can realize that the best course of action is to give up on him. Sakura on the other hand has this strange obsession that I don't understand and it isn't love. If some guy tried to kill me on several occasions, I wouldn't be trying to date him. I don't care about his reasons why, if he fucking cared for her, he would have thought twice before trying to get rid of her. It just proved that her existence means nothing to him. He, Naruto, and she can blame it on some insane Uchiha madness but the point is still the same. If he had feelings for her, it should have bothered him just a little. Which just makes the point that at minimum, he sees her as a teammate and not a love interest. Why haven't they gotten together officially yet? Why is he waiting when it is obvious that she is still pining for him?"

"I dunno, maybe he isn't ready?" Hinata had no idea why the two weren't a couple yet. Whenever she saw them together, Sakura was always trying to touch Sasuke in some way but the Uchiha normally ignored the advances. Maybe the shinobi was just a cold person and wasn't very affectionate.

"You're so naïve, it is actually kind of endearing." Ino smiled seeing the blush and the confusion. "For Choji's eighteenth birthday, the five went to a brothel in Suna, or did you really buy that line about going to visit the Kazekage?"

"What?" Hinata did recall that trip but Naruto had reassured her that it had been to visit his friend. Why would they go to a brothel? It had been Shikamaru, Choji, Sasuke, Kiba, and Naruto. "Did they all go?"

"Yep!" Ino didn't want to be the one to remove the film from the girl's eyes but she wouldn't lie either. "We girls weren't supposed to know but Shikamaru can't hold his liquor. Last week during our trip to Asuma's grave, he accidently let it slip because he was feeling guilty about cheating on Temari. It was planned as a surprise party but the lot ended up at the brothel and each guy got himself a girl for the night after getting drunk."

"That means, Naruto went with one?" Hinata wasn't sure what to say about it. "But why didn't you say anything to any of us? We had the right to know that our boyfriends had messed around with another, even if they were drunk."

"I agree that you had the right to know but it wasn't my place to be the one to tell anyone. I'll tell you like I told Shika, it was Naruto's mistake, he should be the one to own up to it. I also promised Shika that I wouldn't let it get out until after he told Temari about it. He still hasn't but I don't see you as the type to go slug Naruto in the middle of the street over it." Ino had found it amusing to discover that the group had been naughty.

"I guess you're right and I'm glad you told me now." Hinata wouldn't say anything about it to anyone. It just reaffirmed her decision that she didn't belong with Naruto. What stung was knowing that if he had been dating Sakura, he wouldn't have agreed to go to that kind of place.

"Anyways, as I was saying, Sasuke is definitely ready to be physically involved with a female. I'm not sure how he would be in a relationship but his balls have definitely dropped." Ino waited for the other girl to stop coughing. "He is definitely into the opposite sex because Shika said he went both nights they were at the village. Which poses the question as to why he hasn't gotten intimate with Sakura when everyone knows that she would happily be with him?"

"If you aren't interested in Sasuke, who do you like?" She wanted to change the subject from her boyfriend cheating and the Uchiha's privates. "Do you still like Sai?"

"Nope, I'm not really interested in anyone right now. I haven't found my dream guy yet," Ino was sure there was someone out there for herself and for Hinata. It just might take a while to find them. "I just know it wasn't the one in my dreams this morning, even if it was an Uchiha."

"What?" Hinata paused with the cup halfway to her mouth. She'd been having nightmares herself lately and she guessed that it had something to do with the concern about her relationship. "You were dreaming of Sasuke but I thought you didn't like him."

"I don't and it wasn't him," Ino hadn't had dreams of that one in years, not in that sense. "It was some kind of morbid dream and there was this freaky looking Madara wanna-be in my dream. The village was all dying and shit, it's nothing worth thinking about."

"I see, I had one with a volcano and there was an old man staring down at the village. I remember him saying 'Their hero will fall and you shall dance on his corpse.' I remember that part because it woke me up and I got upset because Naruto is the village's hero and I would never do something like that." Hinata hadn't liked the way it made her feel.

"There was one in mine also, but I don't think it was the same thing. It probably doesn't mean anything," Ino couldn't suppress the yawn any longer. She didn't want to think about that dream any longer. She didn't want to listen to some dead asshole insinuate that her mother didn't love her father. "If I don't get up and do something I am going to pass out at the table. Do you feel up to going out for some breakfast?"

.

.

.

.

.

Please review if you made it this far. I'm not sure how popular this couple is but any feedback is nice. As long as it isn't an argument about my opinion on Sak x Sas or Nar x Hin. It is my opinion and I'm entitled to it, that is how I see it. I appreciate positive reviews or suggestions. I know my grammar isn't the best or even my spelling but I try. Hope you enjoyed the read.