Chapter 7

I stared at Naruto, his cloths were all wrinkled up and I could tell he just awoke. I didn't want to see him, I didn't want to come and tell him this. I wanted to avoid him at all costs. However I had to do this, I had to let him know.

"Naruto-Kun . . . Its Sakura, She's . . . um . . . she's hurt and is recovering in the hospital."

His eyes went wide and he immediately went from dazed and confused to completely alert.

He rushed past me, never saying a word to me. I turned and watched his fading image as he ran at full speed towards the hospital.

I followed him, hoping that this will give me a chance to get both of them in the same room and allow me to confess and say how sorry I was.

I quickly followed after him and found myself at the doors to the hospital. The Jounin guards that helped Shikamaru and Chouji were coming out, heading off in their own direction.

I was about to open the door when a voice gained my attention. I looked around and found a very upset Neji.

"Hinata-Sama, I must speak to you."

I tried to tell him that I was in a hurry, but he wouldn't have any of it. Finally agreeing with him, we walked off to the side. Guilt welled up in my heart and my body was sweating, he was serious. I could tell that he had already found out. He had too.

"Hinata-Sama, Naruto told me something very disturbing last night. I however couldn't believe it and I want you to tell me the truth."

I began to cry; "If Naruto told you that I tricked him, and that I ruined his relationship with Sakura . . . then. It's . . . "I lunged forward and wrapped my arms around him. I cried. "Oh god, its true Neji, everything he said was true."

He grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me back. He just stood their in silence. He finally said something. "Hinata . . . how could you. Do you have no shame? Do you have no respect for other people? Do you have no respect for the Hyuuga name?" He shook his head as I tried to reply. "Just . . . I have to go. I recommend you report to Hiashi as soon as possible."

He walked away, and if I didn't know any better I would have sworn he wiped away a tear as he turned.

The horror of what I did was finally out. No one in their right mind would ever forgive me. The reality of it hit hard. I would be shunned from all our friends as the girl who ruined a beautiful relationship.

No.

I still had a chance. I just had to make them get back together. I just had to make Sakura understand that Naruto wasn't doing anything wrong.

I rushed back to the hospital and through the halls. I found the room where Sakura was stationed. With all my will power I went to open the door.

The shouting from the other side stopped me in my tracks.

"Sakura, calm down, your hurt and shouldn't me exerting yourself so much." I heard Naruto say. Sakura responded with a yell.

"You shut up you miserable excuse for a man, how dare you tell me what to do. Just get the fuck out of this room before I kill you."

"Goddamnit Sakura-Chan, how can I convince you that it wasn't my fault? Hinata tricked me. You have to believe me, I can't lose you. I won't let you go."

"Like you have a choice in the matter. And for the love of god, stop trying to pin the blame all on Hinata. I didn't see you tied up; I didn't see some clone of me. I saw Hinata on you!"

"Sakura-chan, understand. She tricked me. You just happen to walk in when she lost the henge."

"Whatever Naruto, she just happened to lose it when I walked in. How fucking convenient is that?"

A hand on my shoulder interrupted my prying. I turned around and saw Tsunade, the current Hokage standing behind me.

"Hinata . . . Sakura told me everything when she first got here. It was all she cared about. She didn't care about healing her wounds or getting better. I couldn't believe it, but seeing you out here and Naruto in there. It doesn't look that far fetched."

I nodded my head. Once again I had to confess to someone I respected. "Hai, its true Hokage-sama. However, Sakura is wrong about one thing, Naruto isn't really to blame. I did trick him. It's my fault."

Her eyes went wide. "Oh my god Hinata," She shook her head and let out a sigh. "Well, you better get you ass in there and set things straight."

I nodded in agreement and turned around. With the strength that I gained from the urge to set things straight I barged into the hospital room.

"Whatever Naruto, she just happened to lose it when I walked in. How fucking convenient is that?" I screamed.

I can't believe he has the audacity to come up with such bullshit. Does he think I'm that stupid? Oh she tricked you and just happen to lose the illusion when I walked in. I understand, its okay don't worry about it. In fact that happens to me ALL the time.

The screaming and moving made my body burn with pain. Several of the bandages covering the deeper cuts began to soak up with blood from the reopened wounds. I didn't care. It felt good actually.

Then the situation escalated. 'She' barged into the room.

I let out a deep yell of dissatisfaction. "What dumb ass let you in here?"

She stopped and looked around. I could tell she was clearly scared shitless.

"That whore better be scared, if I wasn't on this bed 'recovering' she would be dead. I don't give a fuck about whether or not she saved my life."

I couldn't agree more with my inner self.

Naruto turned and looked at her. His face quickly shifted from sorrow to madness. He backed up away from her.

"You have no business being in here Hinata."

She took a step forward and looked first at Naruto, then to me.

"Sakura-san, I know you don't want to see me because of what you saw. But I have to tell you something."

I let my head drop down on pillow and sighed. "Fine, spit it out."

"Um, well . . . Naruto isn't lying. I really did trick him. I don't know what came over me. I knew that you two were getting married in only a couple days and I was so sad . . . and happy too, you know that you were finally getting together . . . but sad because Naruto would be forever gone. You both know about my feelings, you both know that I love Naruto more then anyone in the world. I had to do something; I had to give myself a last chance. I guess . . . I guess the weight of all the guilt and loneliness made me do something I wouldn't have ever thought of doing otherwise."

She paused. Letting her words sink in, I wasn't buying it though . . . at least not yet.

I told her to continue, this time lifting my head up so I can look into her eyes as she spoke.

"Well, what happened wasn't what I planned. I only wanted to use your image to get close to him. I just wanted to spend some intimate time with Naruto, I just wanted to maybe kiss him or hug him. I . . . just wanted to give myself the illusion of love. You know . . . so . . . I could feel what it was like just once. I didn't mean for things to get out of hand. Naruto truly thought I was you, he truly wanted you. He thought he was making love to YOU. The timing was just bad; I lost my focus during the end . . . exactly as you walked in."

I could tell by looking at her. She wasn't lying. I replayed the moment I caught them in my mind. Naruto really looked completely shocked when he lifted his head and saw Hinata on him. He truly threw her off in panic. Maybe . . . just maybe it was true.

I cleared my throat. "I um . . . I guess I understand. However what you did was horrible Hinata. Whether or not it got out of control and went beyond what you wanted to happen is irrelevant." I swallowed hard. "I'm not sure what to believe."

She perked up, seeing my anger was gone. "I'm truly sorry Sakura . . . and I'm sorry Naruto-kun. I will promise to never let something like this to happen."

Naruto grunted from the other side of the room. "How are you going to do that?"

She looked around the room, thinking of something to say. "Well I don't know . . . I could . . . I don't know."

Naruto looked down at me then back up to where Hinata was. "Well . . . you'd better look then. Hinata . . . I somewhat . . . SOMEWHAT understand why you did it, but its still a horrible thing . . . and frankly Hinata, I don't think I will ever forgive you for."

I could tell she took it hard, hearing Naruto say that made he jerk in shock. Tears were forming in her eyes. She didn't falter though. "I understand Naruto-kun."

I looked at Hinata. "Hinata . . . please leave. Naruto and I have much to discuss."

Bowing her head, she left the room. A pain hit my heart . . . I pitied her. I don't know why, but I felt sorry for her. She really loved Naruto.

"Naruto . . . I'm sorry. I guessed I judge too quickly."

Naruto lit up. "So you believe her? Do you forgive me? It was just a stupid mistake; I really thought it was you."

I shook my head. "I don't know yet. It will take some time but . . . but I think I can get over it. However . . . we will have to postpone the wedding."

Naruto dropped his head in semi-defeat and then looked up. "Okay Sakura-chan. Okay."

It's been a month since the incident between Naruto and Hinata. My relationship with Naruto has once again become what it used to be. We were over everything and finally, today . . . today we were getting married. Today is the big day . . .

"And Sakura, do you take Naruto to be you husband, to love and to . . ."

Oh crap, it was happening right now.

"Stay with the program sister, Jesus."

"I do." I said without hesitation.

Naruto's original best man couldn't make it in time. Naruto was heart broken that his best friend couldn't attend his wedding. However he understood, his best friend was a Kage . . . they had tons of work to do. So instead, at the last minute Naruto made the remaining guys draw straws.

Ever since our conversation with Hinata in the hospital she has stayed far away. We invited her to the wedding regardless . . . yet looking out over the fifty odd people sitting down, she wasn't there. I wished she came; having our friends here was something that we wished for. I looked out over the crowd and saw the door opened up and a figure slide into an empty seat. It wasn't Hinata though . . . it was Naruto's best friend . . . Naruto missing best man. It was the Otokage, the Sound Shadow. It was Uchiha Sasuke.

He made it just in time.

Tsunade's voice made me look back to Naruto.

"You may kiss the bride."

And we kissed . . . and I was happy.

I found myself on the bench closest to the village's gate. I felt good, well almost felt good. I was seating on this damn bench again when the man I still loved was already done giving his vows to another woman.

Despite all that . . . I was happy. I fixed what I destroyed.

Then Naruto's question entered into my thoughts. How am I going to get over Naruto? I'm living in this village; I'll be seeing him everyday. There is only one real answer. However I'm a coward . . . I coward that would never leave her birth place. I had nowhere to go and no one to go with.

A man sat beside me, a man in a long white dress that was surrounded by many ninjas. I looked up, and under a three point hat I found a familiar face.

"Hello Hinata-chan, long time no see."

"Oh . . . hello Sasu . . . I mean Otokage-sama."

He let out a small chuckle. "You can call me Sasuke if you want. We are old friends aren't we?"

I nodded. It was weird seeing him again. The last time we were together was during the Sound and Leaf war, the very war the tore Orochimaru from power and allowed Sasuke to take his place.

"So, how are you?" I tried to sound cheery.

Once again she chuckled. "Well, considering I was just able to get to my best friends webbing in time and see him marry the only woman I've ever had the smallest feelings for. I'm doing great. How about you?"

I also laughed. "Well, basically the same as you, plus the whole family hating me because I drug their name in dirt, besides that I'm peachy."

We both laughed.

He stood up, "Well, I'm sorry; even though I just arrived I have to get back. Duty calls."

For some reason I felt sad, "Okay." I weakly said.

He turned around and started walking towards the gate, on his way back to the Village he ran.

I don't know why, but I felt an impulse to go after him. Without thinking I jumped from the bench and ran up behind him.

"Sasuke-sama, I'm coming with you."

He just nodded.

I looked over at Hinata, and her bulging belly. She was rubbing it, which has become her newest habit. She's been with me for about seven months now. When she said she was coming with me, I didn't think she meant permanently, however, she's been here, and over that time she's been getting bigger with each passing day.

"Hinata . . . when?" I asked.

"When I'm ready Sasuke-kun. When I'm ready."

"When will that be?"

"When its time."

I grunted. "If I was in his position, I would want to know."

She turned and looked at me, her eyes dropping in shame. "I know, but I can't work up the courage to tell him."

I wrapped my arm around her and drew her in close. "Then I will."

"Thanks, but I think that I should be the one, even if it takes a while."

I sighed. "Okay . . . okay."

I was taken away from my much needed slumber. I woke to find several papers stuck to my face. I ripped them off and then situated myself. I Had to look like I was actually doing something.

"Who is it?" I yelled.

The guard on the other side announced why he interrupted me. "It's the Otokage and his wife sir."

I yelled at the guard to let them in. What the hell were Sasuke doing here . . . and his wife? I still haven't forgiven Hinata completely; she almost ruined what I had with Sakura. However, it's been almost a year now, I can deal with it. I stood up and straightened out my cloths.

"Come in!"

The door opened, revealing Sasuke, followed by a pregnant Hinata holding a small child.

I went up to them and shook Sasuke's hand, and then reluctantly looked at Hinata and said hello.

"So," I began. "What can I do for you?"

Sasuke took a step back and Hinata came up to me. The baby boy in her arm had dark blond hair and light blue eyes.

I let the baby grab a hold of my finger. "So this is your baby huh. And by the looks of you, you guys are working on another."

Hinata began to cry. She looked up at me. "Naruto . . . this baby isn't Sasuke's"

I looked up at her; tears were flowing down face and dripping down on the baby like a much needed rain.

"I've been waiting to tell you this for a while. I haven't had the courage . . . in fact I still don't. But . . . but I got tired of giving my self excuses. Naruto . . ."

It was said. The words that came out of Hinata voice shocked me into a crying fit of rage and joy. How could she keep this from me for so long? But, right now I didn't care that she didn't tell me earlier. All I cared about was the boy, the boy in her arms. I took hold of him and clutched protectively in my arms. His name was Daichi.

Uzamaki Daichi, My only son.

I began to weep with joy.

END

Hoped you enjoyed it. Over the next several months, I will probably do nothing but little one shots. Then, maybe I'll do another deep mult-chaptered story.