Sasuke had heard his roommate come home last night but did not leave his room to ask how dinner had progressed. He figured he would get the information he needed from Suigetsu in the morning. But when his phone alarm went off earlier than usual, and on a Friday, Sasuke remembered that he had agreed to attend rest of the Hyuuga/Uchiha combined meetings. Grumbling to himself of for being stupid for not remembering, he quickly dressed and walked out of the door to see his brother drive up.

"You look grumpier than usual," Itachi commented as he pulled away from the curb.

"I forgot I had this meeting, so I went to bed later than I should have," Sasuke replied leaned against the seat.

"Oh? Any reason?"

"No. Just wasn't tired."

Itachi just shook his head and focused back on the road. The car remained silent until they walked into the Hyuuga's building and were greeted by the receptionist.

"Did you read what was on the agenda?" Itachi asked as they walked into the elevator.

"Yes. More about last week's topic, also a board member will be present from the Hyuuga side?" A nod. "I assume to make sure we aren't plotting anything and to make sure I haven't relapsed into my criminal nature." Itachi snorted.

"Be careful. Act too normal and they might consider you a legitimate marriage material. They might try to marry you off to one of their Hyuuga's to keep you under their thumb."

Sasuke shot his brother a deadpan look. "What about you? Have you magically found a fiancé in the last week? I'm still in High School. You sir are an eligible bachelor with a college degree and current CEO."

Itachi laughed at his brother as they exited the elevator. "Ah but I am set in my ways. You are still moldable."

All he received was a grunt which made Itachi chuckle. The brothers walked into the board meeting and took their usual seats. Sasuke sat next to Hinata who was sketching more on her drawing pad. She acknowledged him with a nod before making a face at a line she drew and erasing it.

"I am going to take the fact my roommate came home last night as an indication that last night when fairly well?" Sasuke quietly asked as Hinata wiped away the eraser bits.

Hinata pinked a bit and smiled before scowling. "Fairly well, Hanabi was a pain. Worse than usual." Hinata paused and looked up to him and whispered, "She brought up Konan." Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "At dinner! I haven't told him or really filled you in that I visit them. But Suigetsu didn't react but I figure it will be something we discuss later-"

"I know about your visits to see Konan," Sasuke interrupted noticing Hinata was getting worked up. "I may have mentioned also to my roommates that you have given them a second chance like you gave me."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really. Hinata, you really need to stop worrying about every tiny thing. This is Senior year. Chill."

Hinata rolled her eyes. "Only you could make that speech and not come off sounding like a jerk, but thanks Sasuke."

"Hey I need to survive these meetings. You are my lifeline."

Hinata rolled her eyes again, "Why are you trying to rack up brownie points?"

"I may need your protection from Hyuuga plotting."

"What are you talking about? Hyuuga don't plot."

"Scheming. Plotting. Same thing. I just need to make sure I that I don't look like good stock."

Hinata shook her head. "Sasuke, the fact that you were even in police custody and associated with a criminal has made you non-marriageable material. Oh yes there were talks when we were younger but now? Nope. You're tainted." She giggled at Sasuke's face. "What brought up this in the first place?"

"Itachi's over active brain."

"Ah. That it explains it."

"I'm glad everyone can laugh at my expense this morning," Sasuke muttered and Hinata giggled again before everyone settled in for the meeting.

*.*.*.*

"Kiba, I never wanted to in my whole life wanted to strangle my baby sister."

"Now, Hinata. You love your sister. You wouldn't kill her," Kiba took a bite of Salisbury steak while he saw his friend roll her eyes in frustration. He noticed Suigetsu was grinning and directed the next question towards him. "What did the firecracker say?"

"She implied we were having sex."

Kiba howled with laughter while Shino choked a bit on the water he took a sip of. Hinata blushed while she glared at her boyfriend. Everyone else at the table stared at their end before going back to eating.

Shino coughed, "How did your father take that?"

"Her father? I wanna know how good ole Neji took it!" Kiba cackled.

"Hinata turned the tables on her and implied back that Konohamaru was pressuring her. Neji looked on with approval." Suigetsu smirked and looped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder for a quick squeeze.

"Father has known Konohamaru for years. I figured it was time to reinforce he is a teenage boy that is dating his daughter." Hinata sniffed pretentiously causing her friends to laugh.

"Of course," Shino replied. "So how did she respond to that?"

Hinata paled and shot a glance at Suigetsu who made a face. "Can we talk about it later?"

Kiba and Shino sobered while Suigetsu looked over at Sasuke who was giving his girlfriend a sympathetic look. Or as sympathetic as an Uchiha could look.

"Sure. So what are your weekend plans Kiba?" Suigetsu asked.

"Working. What I usually do. What about you?"

The boys directed the conversation away from the dinner and Hinata withdrew from the conversation.

She had to tell Suigetsu about Konan and that she was aware of activities he may have been in. and then there was that time he mentioned his brother…

They really needed to talk about skeletons in the closet.

.*.*.

"Please! Please forgive him! He was brainwashed! I tried so hard to convince him that he was that he was following a madman! I tried so hard! Please! You must forgive Nagato! Don't take him away from me!"

Hinata attacked the canvas in front of her as her memories of Konan's tear stained face in front of her. A faint grunt came from her as she realized the blue wasn't dark enough. She added more black to the mix.

"You will remove yourself from my cousin's presence. It is because of your friend that she is here in the first place." Neji's voice was dark and ominous. "Your wailing will not help your case if it causes Hinata more stress."

A muffled cry. "Please Hyuuga! You must understand! We lost everything and he promised us it all back! He thought if he did this he could… he could get our friend back."

"Get your friend back from where?"

"Death."

The blue was finally dark enough. Now to add scarlet. And some burgundy. Forest green. Bright yellow.

"Why… Naruto?" Hinata whispered. Konan gasped while Neji whirled and grabbed her hand at her soft voice. "Why did you have to get him?"

"His family had secrets that were rumored to unlock Death's hold. Madara told Pein, that if we captured him, he would know where to find them."

Hinata wasn't aware of the classroom, of how the paint splattered tiny flecks on her face and on her shirt and how her teacher looked at her worriedly. Just of the colors that blended together purge the memory.

"I forgive them Father."

"Are you sure Hinata?" Her father was solemn and did not show whether or not he disapproved.

"Yes. Everyone is allowed second chances. We gave it to Sasuke. Why not them? We are all are just victims of circumstance."

She was slowing now, more peaceful moments. Pastel colors.

"Here." Konan handed Hinata a bouquet of paper flowers. They varied in color, but they all looked the same. Like the one in Konan's hair. "I made those for you. They last longer than real flowers. Hopefully they'll brighten your day."

"Are you trying to make 1000 cranes?"

"Why not? I have nothing else to do. Plus, if I end up finishing them and Nagato (Not Pein, Pein died when Naruto intervened) wakes I can use them on another wish."

"What- I don't understand Hinata."

"You don't have to worry about the hospital bills. I will take care of them."

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Why are you doing all this?"

"Because I know how it feels to lose your parents. I'm just now getting my father back. He has been in a dark place for some time now. I know how that despair molds you and makes you think ridiculous things to get them back."

"What are your plans after this?"

"We're going to go home and set up a house where homeless children can live. And… Im going to continue to work towards my Psychology degree."

"Good for you Konan."

The bell's shrill tone brought her out of her zone and caused her to drop her brush messily into her water cup. She wiped absently at the speckles of water as she smiled at the field of flowers she had created.

"Feel better?" Kurenai asked as she placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes. Yes I do." Hinata answered and smiled at her teacher.

.*.*.*.*.

1/26/2016

: Peeks around corner and throws out update :

So. Um. This is still a thing. It took a back seat to my master's degree, but I will get this done. Eventually. I promise.

I don't even know how this fan fiction landscape has changed in the past 3 years but all I know is that we have "canon" couples now. I haven't even finished Naruto yet. Sighs. I think I need to go back and clean up the chapters a bit. But thank you all for the favorites and following this story. I should update within the year. Probably.