Chapter 57

-Hinata's POV-

After a visit to the hospital to ensure Sakura arrived in one piece and an intense conversation about putting herself in dangerous situations alone, Sasuke and I went home first to clean up her room. What she just went through was traumatic, and the last thing she needs is to come home and see the mess of evidence of her attack.

While I gathered the shredded papers and photos, Sasuke silently scrubbed the carpet where Gaara had beaten Sasori bloody with some heavy-duty cleaner to get the deep red stains out.

"I can't believe you punched him."

Usually, he'd probably be amused or even astounded by something like that, but any positive emotions there might've been were dulled down in his monotone voice. I didn't say anything back because there was nothing to say. If he hadn't stopped me, I would've hit him again, maybe a third time just for good measure.

Sakura…was so scared that her entire body was shaking. There were bruises in the process of showing up around her neck and wrists by the time we left the hospital, too, not to mention he bit her, busted her lip, and tried to bash her head in. How anyone in the world could do such a thing to someone unprovoked; that's something I'll never be able to comprehend.

It doesn't matter if, in some alternate universe, Sakura started the fight. Sasori's so much bigger and stronger than her that there are a million ways other than violently beating her up to immobilize her. Never in my life have I wanted to commit murder before and never did I think I ever would, but life is full of bitter surprises.

My vision came into focus when I recognized Sakura's hair color on one of the pieces of shredded photos, and my blood ran cold. These aren't… Frantically, I flipped many of them over and tried to put them together like a puzzle. After a couple minutes, a strangled sob left my lips, and I covered my mouth as I stared down at the bruises and cuts Sakura must've been hiding from Ino and me that day we took her to the hospital.

Sasuke leaned over so he could look at me from around the corner of the bed, and I quickly moved the photo pieces around so he wouldn't see and shook my head, taking a calming breath and wiping at my tears. Sakura wouldn't want this type of thing to be seen by him. I might not tell her I saw it because it might freak her out.

"What is it?"

I glanced at him before shaking my head again, "N-Nothing, it's okay. Sorry." I'm so angry. I'm so pissed that I'm unsure what to do about it because I've never been brought to this level of ire.

The Uchiha man wordlessly returned to his job, and I shakily ran a hand through my hair, pushing it out of my face as I tried to lower my blood pressure. I can't let myself get worked up because Sakura needs us to act normal. Not sure if she needs these photos, I put all the shreds in a big sandwich bag and put it in her underwear drawer before joining Sasuke in scrubbing blood out of the carpet.

We finished where Sasori was and moved to where Sakura had been, her shoulder having bled. He began working immediately, but I just stared at the small red dots with wide eyes, wild heat rising in my chest, and making my teeth grit.

"Breathe, or you'll pass out." Sasuke's deep voice shook me from my angry stupor, and I looked over to see he wasn't even glancing my way as he continued to work with his jaw set in a firm line.

Sighing, I joined him, "How do you do it?"

He understood what I meant without elaborating, "I've had a lot of practice. You'll figure it out eventually."

Hot tears ran down my nose to drip onto the floor, and my voice wavered, "I-I don't want to get used to it."

He looked up, and this time I didn't meet his eye. I sensed him move to try and comfort me, "Don't. Sakura's what matters right now. Come on, let's finish up before they get back." After pausing momentarily, he listened to what I said and returned to work.

Sasori was arrested, of course, and a team of female police officers followed the ambulance to the hospital to get Sakura and Gaara's statements once she's been helped by a doctor. I don't care what it takes, even if I have to court with her and testify myself, Sasori's going away, and he's going away for a very long time.

Naturally, Gaara and Sakura began dating after confessing to one another in the heat of the moment. When Tenten first heard the news, I thought she would faint because she was so excited. Of course, Kakashi and the public can't find out, or they'll be in trouble.

The fact doesn't seem to bother the couple, though, and ever since they got home from the hospital, they've been inseparable, almost literally attached at the hip. Over the last two weeks, Sasuke and I have even walked in on them making out more than once each. They don't even care if they're caught anymore because they're too busy fawning over one another.

While walking in on something unexpected is startling, I'm happier for my friends than anything else. Sakura's finally being treated how she deserves, and Gaara seems positively vibrant with happiness. That said, the weight of hiding Sasuke and I's relationship is getting heavier by the day.

"Do you think they've fucked yet?"

Sasuke's amused whisper pulled me from my thoughts. We're walking behind the new couple in question on our way to the recording studio. We're about to record a single that's supposed to be released a month before our tour while our fans wait for our third album. Even though Kakashi was hoping for a pop song to release in the summer, the four of us somehow naturally worked together, and it ended up being a sad break-up song. Luckily, our CEO liked it so much that he said he didn't care.

Blush warmed my face, and I shushed him, looking panicked between the two. They walked side by side, talking happily, and didn't seem to have heard him.

The Sakura in front of me is practically glowing, the opposite of the one we knew from January. Going to therapy and finding unyielding support from Gaara and her friends worked wonders at helping her manage and recover from all Sasori did. I still can't imagine her jumping right into a physical relationship with anyone, even if it is Gaara. Of course, I don't know the true extent of the trauma of being hurt like she was because it didn't happen to me, but what I imagine's already awful.

So I shook my head to Sasuke's question, whispering lightly and leaning slightly toward him so he could hear, "It's probably too soon for her." A frown tugged at his lips. He'd obviously asked the question before thinking twice, but I'm not judging him for it since Sakura herself didn't hear, and he wouldn't have said it if he'd remembered.

"Hey, Prestige. What's up, you guys?" My gaze rose to see the three active members of Akatsuki approaching, and I smiled as we all exchanged greetings in the hall.

Deidara threw an arm around Gaara and Sakura's shoulders, "Thanks for the Valentine's treats, by the way!"

Sakura waved a hand in the air with a playful pout, "Don't go giving these two credit. Hinata and I worked hard!"

Kisame's gaze was almost laser-focused on me, and I tried to pretend I didn't notice with a red face. I still haven't been able to talk to him much after he accidentally saw me naked during Top Tier. Out of my peripheral view, I also noticed a slight pink tinge on his face.

When he suddenly spoke over our groups' light, pleasant chatter, my stomach dropped with dread, "Hinata, can I talk to you alone for a sec?"

Everyone got quiet and looked at either one of us. With wide eyes, I couldn't figure out what to say but followed him when he gestured for me to follow him down the hall and into one of the empty meeting rooms.

I could feel our group members' eyes burning holes into our backs, but I was apprehensive about Sasuke. To be honest, I don't know if he's the jealous type or not. Since, at least up until now, he's been a bit of a playboy, I have a hunch that he's not, but he's always surprising me, so I'm not making any severe assumptions.

Once the door of the room shut behind us, I turned to fully face Kisame, only for him to suddenly press his lips to mine. It happened so quickly that I didn't have time to think or react before he pulled away with a bright red face.

My mouth fell open in shock as I looked up at the incredibly tall man, and he spoke swiftly so I couldn't interrupt, "I like you a lot, Hinata. I know we're not technically supposed to date because of the agency, but I can't stop thinking about you."

My teeth clamped together as I came to my senses and tried to respond, but he cut me off again, "You're so kind and beautiful, and you always look out for others. Please go on a date with me!" The way he said it made it seem like he's been stressing out about this and may have even rehearsed beforehand.

As his dark blue eyes stared expectantly down into mine, I found myself choking on air, heat, and haze swiftly forming in my head and vision. Panic quickened my heartbeat, the sound thumping loudly in my ears like a drum. I tried to respond to his flattering and sweet confession, but the words just wouldn't come out.

He took a step toward me with a frown, "Please say something…."

The knot in my chest tightened further before hypothetically snapping. A soft sigh passed my lips before my vision darkened, and I felt myself falling toward the ground.

-Sakura's POV-

All five of us watched Kisame and Hinata walk away. The look on the former's face made it obvious what he intended to say to her. I grinned, feeling proud and giddy that other people could see how wonderful my shy friend was.

Deidara groaned dramatically, drawing the attention back, "He hasn't shut up about her since Top Tier. You won't believe how excited he got when Tenten delivered the chocolates from you guys." Yahiko nodded with the slightest hint of a grin tugging at his pierced lip.

I leaned into the blonde singer's side, snickering as I joined in with a good-natured taunt about Hinata, "I bet she's gonna faint."

Gaara gave me a small smile, "I don't know. She hasn't in a long time."

My heart warmed at his cute grin, "Well, when's the last time someone confessed to her?"

Deidara squeezed both of our shoulders, "Oh, come on. Someone like her probably gets love letters by the hundred from fans."

Yahiko made an argumentative noise, "The agency filters those out before delivering fanmail."

His bandmate's jaw dropped, "No shit? What the hell! Do you think they keep them? I've gotta talk to Shizune."

The four of us laughed briefly when I suddenly noticed Sasuke wasn't joining the conversation. In fact, he's not even paying attention to us at all. He's too busy looking in the direction the other two had gone with a strange expression. I elbowed him in the ribs and gave him a curious look when he turned to see what I wanted.

Before he could respond, Deidara burst into laughter, "I'll be damned. You were right!"

The rest of us turned to see what he was talking about, only to see Kisame rushing up to us with an unconscious Hinata in his arms. My smile dropped, and I hurried to meet him halfway with the others.

The tall man was obviously worried he did something wrong and didn't hesitate to hand her off to Sasuke when he got close enough and gestured for him to do so, "I was just talking to her, and she suddenly passed out!"

Yahiko tilted his head as he looked at her red face, "Is she sick? Maybe you should take her home."

I shook my head, "No, she's fine. She probably got overwhelmed or something."

Sasuke glared at Kisame before looking back down at Hinata, moving his arms up to ensure she was level, "What the hell did you do?"

Gaara and I glanced at one another. Sure, they're best friends, but he knows she sometimes gets like this, so why's he reacting so aggressively?

The Akatsuki rapper looked absolutely distraught, "I swear, we were just talking," his face then turned bright red, and he averted his gaze, "...and I may have kissed her…."

Sasuke seemed ready to pass Hinata off to Gaara so he could strangle the taller man, so I frantically shook my hands in front of me, "I was totally joking about the fainting thing. I didn't think she really would!"

Deidara and Gaara humored me with laughs, the former's maybe being genuine, but the latter's definitely not. I eyed Sasuke awkwardly as I pretended to join them. Is there something going on with Hinata that I don't know about? I'll have to ask her later to be sure.

-Hinata's POV-

Something cold pressed to my cheek, and it shook me back to life, so I could also comprehend that someone was also fanning my face. Once what happened occurred to me, my eyes shot open, and I nearly smacked my forehead against Sasuke's as I tried to straighten my spine.

The expression on his face was barely-muted anger as he held what I now realize is a water bottle to my hot skin. Kisame fanned me with a worried frown, too. My eyes danced between the two men before I squeezed them shut again. If I start panicking now, I'm just going to faint again. No one else is in this room with us, wherever we are, and I wondered where everyone else has gone.

"Hinata, I'm so sorry for kissing you. I didn't know you were prone to passing out!"

I reopened my eyes to see Sasuke glaring bluntly at the man who spoke, "If you don't give her some damn space, she's gonna faint again." His unnecessary rudeness both flattered and annoyed me. Maybe my initial guess was wrong, and he is actually the jealous type.

Both men backed up a bit when I moved to sit up properly. The Uchiha man handed me the water bottle he was holding, and I pressed it to the side of my face and took a deep breath before responding to Kisame, "I-It's alright, I'm okay."

A relieved look came on his face, and suddenly he was blushing like earlier when he confessed, "So, what's your answer? Wanna go on a date?"

"I-"

"She just woke up, man. Give her a damn minute to breathe," Sasuke cut me off, and I had to give him kudos for sounding more casual about it than he likely wanted to be.

Nervously, I gave him a warning look, so he'll let me speak before focusing on Kisame once more, "I'm sorry, Kisame. I'm flattered, but I can't accept your feelings."

His brow furrowed, "Is there a reason other than our contracts?"

He looks so hurt by my rejection that a pang of guilt hit my chest. While I can't tell him about Sasuke and me, and I can't tell him I have a boyfriend either because then he'll want to know who it is, and there's no reason for me to hide it from him; it feels wrong to completely lie to his face.

"I-I, um, I have someone that I like."

The man's mouth clamped shut, and I pointedly ignored Sasuke's wide gaze.

"Have you told them?"

I nodded, blushing.

"So you're dating them, then?"

I shook my head, "N-No, I was rejected."

Just as I thought, Kisame didn't ask who it was because, in a case like this, I'd be too embarrassed at having been turned down. I didn't expect him to clench his fists eagerly with a look of determination, "All I need to do is win you over so you can forget about them, then!"

Sasuke and I stared at the man in disbelief, but he seemed oblivious, "I'll make you fall for me. Just wait, Hinata!" With that, the Akatsuki member rose and left, leaving us to stare at the door with mouths agape.

For a moment, I thought the room would get awkward for a moment, but then Sasuke turned to face me and placed a cold hand on my forehead with an odd expression, "You good?"

I nodded, frowning slightly.

He paused for a moment before firmly pressing his lips to mine. I melted into his affection, but he pulled away more quickly than I would've liked, "If he kisses you again, you'd better kick him in the balls. Got it?"

"Pfft!" I snickered, a hand to my lips as he helped me to my feet.

As I dusted my clothes off, he said, "You have to give him kudos for determination, at least." When I met his eye, though, he seemed to be wordlessly warning me not to comment, so I just smiled knowingly.

He's a jealous man; that much I know for sure now. In theory, I hate that type of thing because it lends to the idea that he doesn't trust me to handle things, but for some reason, it's making my stomach flutter excitedly.

When we rejoined Sakura and Gaara in the studio, they fawned over me to ensure I wasn't hurt. Apparently, a couple trainees walked by, and after explaining the situation, Sakura told Sasuke to take me to one of the offices to cool down. Kisame apparently didn't want to leave until he could be sure I was alright, and the rest of Akatsuki left for their house. The other half of Prestige simply went to the studio to record what they could without us.

That night, after everyone went their separate ways for the evening, Sasuke slipped into my room. He immediately tried to bury me with affection, making me struggle not to giggle loudly as he kissed my neck, and his fingers danced at my hips to tickle me. A squeak passed my lips, and I tried to shove his hands away, but he snickered against my skin and ignored it. Feeling a bit brave, I wrestled my way on top of him and realized that he, too, was ticklish.

"You're pushing your luck," he hissed while struggling to hold back his laughter and grin and playfully tried to get a hold of my wrists.

After a couple moments, he gave up on that and went on the offensive. I wasn't prepared, and a surprised squeal managed to escape me. He chuckled softly before rolling back on top of me and shoving his lips against mine.

The playful air in the room slowly calmed as our lips danced. His dark eyes shined prettily in the dim room when he pulled back a bit. The increasingly familiar hungry look on his face stirred something within me, and I melted into his touch when he lifted my shirt and dipped down to kiss my bare skin while tugging my pajama shorts down.

Long fingers brushed against me, sending a shiver up my spine. We haven't done much since Valentine's Day because we've been focused on what happened with Sakura and work, so I'm still a bit nervous about him seeing and touching such intimate places on my body.

"You're so wet, Hyuuga. Calm down, or I'll start to think you like me," his voice was soft and warm against my skin as he teased me.

I looked down when I felt an odd pressure against my hip bone and saw that he was sucking the skin there. He glanced up to meet my gaze with a confident look, and my brow furrowed when he pressed his fingers against me more firmly, falling back to the pillows with a hand over my eyes. He chuckled, the sound deep and attractive and making me struggle not to squirm under his touch.

Suddenly, he pushed the blankets higher on my body and buried his face between my legs. What in the actual hell? How is he so good at this?

A soft sound managed to leave my lips, and he reached up to press his hand flat on my lower stomach. The move felt almost sensual and caring, surprising me a bit because, up until now, he's been pretty heated about everything sexual. It felt like he was trying to reassure me not to get embarrassed. Bashfully, I slid an unsure hand under the covers and almost smiled to myself when he interlaced his fingers with mine.

Then a knock came at the door, and both of us froze. Utterly full of fear we'd been caught in a highly compromising position, I hesitantly asked, "W-Who is it?" When I heard the raspy tug at my voice as a result of what he and I'd been doing, I cleared my throat to get rid of it.

"Hey, it's me."

Realizing it was Sakura, I frantically tossed three of my four pillows down to the foot of the bed to hide that there was a man under my blanket, just in time for her to come in. With the lights off, it'll be hard for her to tell.

The pink-haired woman offered a sleepy smile, rubbing at her eyes, "Hey, did I wake you?"

I nodded, pretending to yawn as I lay as naturally as possible with my one pillow left under my head, "A-Are you alright?"

She nodded, leaning against the doorframe, "I just wanted to make sure you're alright with the Kisame stuff earlier." To my absolute horror, I felt Sasuke's lips against my inner thigh as he began trying to leave a love mark there. Heat rose quickly to my face. Luckily, Sakura thought it was in response to what she asked, "I knew it! You've been all anxious, haven't you?"

I nodded quickly, squeezing Sasuke's hand tightly in a silent threat to stop before he got us caught. Rather than heed my warning, he licked me slowly and made a chilling wave of pleasure climb my body.

Luckily my voice didn't waver when I spoke, but it did sound a bit more tense than usual, "I-I-It was really stressful, but everything's fine now."

Sakura nodded, and for a moment, I thought she was about to leave, but she suddenly stopped and lowered her voice a bit, "Sasuke was being totally weird about it, by the way. I thought he was gonna pummel poor Kisame!"

Said Uchiha's breath danced against my thigh as he pressed his face into it in an attempt to not laugh. It made me twitch, "A-Ah, that's odd! I'll have to ask him about it tomorrow!"

She giggled, still whispering, "Tell me what he says. I'm curious!" I simply smiled, and she finally gave me a small wave as she yawned, "Well, I'm off to bed then. G'night." Then she shut the door behind her as she left.

After a moment to ensure the coast was clear, Sasuke climbed up on top of me, and we both covered our mouths to stifle our laughter.