this chapter mostly naruhina moments bc honestly they're one of my ult ships

S.H 

"Did you two really have a fling?"

"When did this affair start?"

"Are you dating?"

"Naruto, what about Hinata Hyuga?"

Sakura gritted her teeth and ignored the flood of paparazzi as the crew escaped onto the van. It seemed like everyone was shouting at the crew, especially her and Naruto. She hoped that all of the crew members stayed silent, they weren't even there when she fell in Naruto. But even if they did leak out false information, Sakura couldn't hear it. All she heard was shouts and screams and sounds of cameras going off. 

They had just finished shooting when the paparazzi had taken over Coney, itching for more news about Sakura and Naruto's assumed romance. 

How that one paparazzi member managed to evade Coney's and Nohara's securities to the set was beyond Sakura's thoughts, but Rin was tightening up security and firing whoever messed up. She had desperately hoped that that photo wouldn't spread to the media and lead to wrong assumptions. 

But it couldn't be helped. Everyone was always waiting to get dirt on someone, then spread it unnecessarily to others. Sakura sighed mentally. She knew it was inevitable that the media found out about that picture. But it doesn't mean that she liked it. 

"Get on the bus, now!" a now-sober Tsunade snapped, the paparazzi evidently gotten on her nerves. This was the second time in two weeks Sakura and Tsunade had to escape the paparazzi, and the blonde wasn't happy about that.

The crew nodded instantly, and hastily climbed aboard the bus. As soon as everyone boarded, Tsunade shouted at the driver to start driving, even if majority of the people weren't seated.

Sakura clutched onto a metal pole as the bus swerved, swaying everyone to the side slightly. She panted as she slid into a seat, tired from constantly running away from the paparazzi.

Even as the bus began leaving Coney, she could see a massive swarm of people and cameras chasing after them. Sakura buried her face in her hands.

She just felt so overwhelmed. All she did was accidently trip and fall onto Naruto, and now what seemed like the whole media was attacking her and accusing them both of doing something they didn't do. 

All these people, demanding answers from her while assuming Sakura had a fling with her best friend's boyfriend. It was too much. Maybe she would've answered their questions if they weren't telling her what a bitch she was and Naruto was, betraying Hinata like that.

Hinata. 

What would the bluenette think of this news? Would it have reached her by now? Or would she still be happy back at the apartment, not knowing what had happen?

Sakura knew that Hinata was always scared that one day Naruto would leave her for a better person. That wasn't true, but Hinata...if she heard this news, she would be destroyed inside. And when Hinata's mad, she's blows up even more then Sakura. She wouldn't listen to anyone if she found out. She would just accept the fact that Naruto didn't love her without questioning it. All of Hinata's trust would be destroyed.

We have to get to Hinata before the news does, Sakura thought, before calling out the driver. "Hurry! Get to Senju apartments ASAP!"

"This is bad," whispered Ino, glancing down at her phone. "News stations have been informed. No doubt they're broadcasting it now to everyone."

As Ino said this, Sakura's phone began buzzing rapidly by the incoming flow of messages. 

"The picture was only of Sakura holding onto Naruto," Sai commented, trying to be optimistic. "It shouldn't be that bad."

"It is," Sakura finally looked up to glance at the couple standing up across from her, stressed overloaded in her voice. "People can and will edit the photo to make it look a lot more romantic. Not only that, but I stupidly decided to grab onto Naruto's chest when I fell and stayed there from shock, but everyone's taking this the other way. Plus, the scenery is what is called a 'perfect date'. The sun was setting on the beach, and it was golden hour. There wasn't any of the crew around us, making it even more suspicious."

"And," Sakura continued listed everything that went wrong. "This is my second time in the media over just nine days, the first from when Kiba supposedly dumped me. People already had suspicions that I had moved on, given that I was perfectly fine after the break up, and now this photo is just going to prove their suspicions. Nobody has forgotten about that breakup, it's too soon. Not to mention that Naruto is currently in a steady relationship with Hinata, he's going to get backlash and Hina...she'll be rui-"

"Stop."

The male blonde next to her had finally spoken, but he was still staring ahead at nothing in particular, blue eyes empty of any feeling. Naruto continued to gaze into nothing, but when he spoke again, his voice trembled. "I don't want to think about Hinata in a state like that."

Suddenly, Naruto slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone. His eyes burned with determination now and his words came out more like a demand than a question. "Driver! How many more minutes!"

"F-Forty two minutes," the pressured driver stuttered out while stopping at a traffic light. He glanced nervously at Tsunade. "Uh, do I go-"

"Yes!" barked Tsunade. "We must get to Hinata!"

Sakura squeezed her eyes shut. Forty two minutes. That's too long. But she couldn't do anything besides watch the fake news fool everyone.

S.U 

"-news of a romance fling between supermodels Sakura Haruno and Naruto Uzumaki are beginning to unfold-"

Sasuke Uchiha turned his attention to the TV, a single eyebrow raised as his dinner laid forgotten. His other dorm companions also turned their heads towards the news channel, curiosity sparking. 

"-curiosity about the meaning of their relationship began to arise after this afternoon," the news reporter began explaining. "They were spotted together on a beach during a modelling job, however the photos taken had no signs of a modelling set on the beach."

"That jerk cheated on Hinata!" exclaimed a scowling Neji in anger, phone out and dialing his cousin. The blood from his face drained as the phone was left ringing for the fourth time. "Shoot, she's not picking up!"

"Neji, we don't know for sure if Naruto cheated," Shikamaru tried to reason with the furious model. Sasuke nodded in agreement, but he could feel himself getting angry as well for some unknown reason. 

It wasn't like he was angry at Naruto for supposedly being romantic with Sakura. It's not like he was jealous. Was he? No, I'm not, Sasuke thought to himself. The universe had already made it pretty clear that Sakura and Sasuke didn't belong together. Sakura herself wanted nothing to do with Sasuke. 

Sasuke would never give 100% to a person that gives him 0%. 

a/n can't relate lol 

Sasuke knew he was being unreasonable. He didn't have the right to jealous over the fact that Naruto got to be romantic with Sakura. It wasn't like Sakura was his girlfriend. He wasn't angry that Naruto had gotten romantic with Sakura. 

He was angry that Naruto had cheated on Hinata, right?

Right. 

"-this is the photo that was taken during their supposed modelling job," the TV reporter continued to inform the whole the whole of New York. "Though, people are beginning to suspect that that was just a cover for their date."

Sasuke thought that it was stupid, really, for somebody to think that the job was just a cover. A whole crew had been set up by the Nohara and Senju companies. Not to mention, Nohara really did have a new dance line coming out. 

Then he caught sight of the photo. It looked like Sakura had tripped, but Naruto had caught her. Her right hand was gently laid over his pectoral muscles, emerald and crystal orbs widened in shock and embarrassment. The sun was bathing in the shining waters, the sky tinged with pink that matched the shade on both Naruto and Sakura's cheeks. 

Sasuke couldn't help but think that there was a possibility that there was a fling, and no doubt the public would think that as well. The blush on their faces might've been from embarrassment, but others could take it the other way. 

The scenery didn't help either, with the romantic sunset. Then there was the fact that Sasuke knew that Naruto did have a small crush on Sakura for a while before he met Hinata. 

knock knock 

A quiet, gentle knock echoed throughout the apartment, following by the sounds of near-silent sobs. Neji was up on his feet in his flash, ready to open the door. 

Sasuke and the others exchanged looks; they all knew who was at the door.

"N-Neji-nee-san," Sasuke heard Hinata's quiet voice, reverting back to her mother tongue at the time of distress. "N-Naruto-kun...h-he-"

"I know," whispered Neji, his comforting voice a total change from what Sasuke usually heard. "Don't cry, Hinata. It's probably just a misunderstanding."

"B-But," Hinata sniffled. "What if it isn't a misunderstanding?"

What if it isn't a misunderstanding?

Those four words had been echoing around everyone's heads every since they had heard the news. Just because there was a chance that this was all a misunderstanding, doesn't mean that they wouldn't fear the possibility that their friendship actually did turn out to be a romance. 

And the worst thing was, Sakura and Naruto were alone when the photo was taken. No one but themselves could say whether it was a misunderstanding or not, and it could just be a lie. 

If this whole mess wasn't a misunderstanding, things would change greatly. For one, Naruto and Sakura would gain a bad reputation. And then there was Hinata, who was ever so fragile. She would lose the ability to trust anyone. 

"Just come in, Hinata," Shikamaru offered. "Let's just take it slowly. We're models, after all, everything we do gets exaggerate."

Hinata emerged into Shikamaru and Sasuke's sight, Neji at her side. Her lilac eyes were glossed over with tears which were running down her pale face. She was biting her lip hesitantly, the colour of her lip drained. Her hair was a mess, as if she had just been running to this apartment. Which she probably had. 

Her body racked with sobs, she sat down besides Neji and across Sasuke and Shikamaru at the dining table. Hinata opened her mouth and quietly replied to Shikamaru, "T-True."

"Does Tenten and Temari know?" Neji asked his cousin, referring to his girlfriend and her close friend. 

Hinata gave a small shrug as more tears leaked out, "I-I don't know. I was out grocery shopping, then the news started getting broadcasted. A-And having these eyes, people starting r-recognizing me instantly. T-They started swarming me, and I-I just came here. I-It's terrible, having all these strangers find out that your boyfriend is cheating on you. They try to comfort you, but in reality, they're making it worse by overwhelming you. "

Dark onyx met with the silvery hues of the male Hyuuga. Sasuke could feel the rage and anger Neji was containing, ready to punch something, but keeping a calm and comforting demeanor for Hinata's sake.

Just after those words were said, a buzzing sound began emitting simultaneously from Neji, Shikamaru and Sasuke's phone. The Uchiha glanced at the screen. "It's Sai."

"He was on the shoot as well," Shikamaru remembered. "He's most likely trying to find out about Hinata for Naruto or even Sakura. Hinata, has...has Naruto called you?"

The addressed person nodded her head slightly. "M-My phone is on silent, but I know N-Naruto-kun tried to call me. P-Probably wants to clear this mess up by b-breaking up with me."

Fresh tears made their way onto Hinata's shuddering face. Neji squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "Hina, don't think like that. I...I never thought I would have to admit this but-" he glanced away, grimacing at himself, "-you two are made for each other, even if that doofus can be painfully dumb sometimes. It's obvious he loves you."

"H-He really is a doofus," Hinata smiled sadly, smiling because she finally gained Neji's approval, but sadly because it might not be needed anymore. "But I-I don't know if he loves me. S-Sakura was always his first love, r-right Sasuke?"

"Sakura was his first crush," Sasuke admitted. "But you, Hinata, you were his first love. The dobe didn't stop rambling on about you when you first got together, even to this day."

Hinata's eyes widened in surprise, shocking Sasuke. She really was fragile. One scandal Naruto was caught up in, and she had forgotten how much Naruto really loved her. Before anyone could say anything, there was a harsh, repeated knock on the door, followed by a feminine voice very familiar to Sasuke, "Open up! Please!"

Neji, Shikamaru and Sasuke all locked eyes with one another. No doubt Sakura and Naruto were at the door, probably accompanied with Ino and Sai. Neji stood up, his coffee brown hair swishing. "I'm going to open the door. You alright with that, Hina?"

"Yeah," Hinata nodded, putting on a brave face. "I'll have to face N-Naruto-kun eventually."

As soon as Neji opened the door, the hyperactive blonde made a beeline for his girlfriend, worry and guilt etched into every feature of his face as he took in Hinata's appearance. Her cheeks were blotched with soft scarlet, and dried tears stained her face. Her bottom lip was still quivering ever so slightly. 

Naruto immediately enveloped Hinata up in a tight hug, nuzzling his face into her hair. "H-Hina, I-I'm so sorry."

"It's not Naruto's fault," the pinkette behind him corrected, concern and empathy overloaded in her face. Sakura bit her lip nervously when all eyes were on her, except for Sasuke, who purposely kept his sight on Naruto and Hinata. "It's mine. We were just taking a break from the shoot, and I stupidly decided to trip and fall onto Naruto. That's when the photo was taken. I never meant for my idiotic choice to hurt you, Hinata. I'm so sorry."

"How do we know if you're telling the truth?" Neji butted in, acting like the older protective sibling and glaring at Sakura and Naruto. 

Sakura sighed. "I'm afraid I have no way of proving it to you that it was an accident. I-I guess you just have to believe Naruto and I."

Silence followed Sakura's statement. Neji narrowed his eyes at her and Naruto, trying to figure out if they were lying or not. Sasuke knew that Hinata was so in love with Naruto, it was obvious she would forgive him anyways. Neji knew that as well, which was why he was trying to see through the lie before it could hurt Hinata. 

Sasuke knew that Shikamaru was also watching Sakura and Naruto, his high IQ helping him to make a decision if Naruto and Sakura's story was trust worthy. Sai and Ino, standing behind Sakura, was also making a decision on whether to trust Sakura and Naruto, because they hadn't been there either. Honestly, Sasuke was watching them as well, silently analyzing them. 

He watched Naruto whisper something in Hinata's ear as he continued to hug her tightly. Whatever he said must've comforted her, because she began to hug him as well. Naruto reached out to wipe a tear off of Hinata's face, blue eyes swirling with love and the desire to protect Hinata. 

The Uchiha then watched the person who hated him, bowing her head slightly. Forest green hues shimmered with concern for her bestfriend, and hope. Hope for what, exactly? Hoping that everyone would believe her lie? Or hoping that everyone would trust her to see the truth? 

Then, watching how sad Sakura looked and how full of love Naruto was, Sasuke made up his decision. His voice echoed loudly throughout the apartment, breaking the silence. 

"I believe them."

Sasuke kept his gaze slightly lowered so that he wouldn't have to make eye contact with Sakura. It was just too awkward and angry between them. 

"Me too," Hinata replied softly, smiling at Naruto. Neji and Shikamaru nodded in agreement. 

Naruto instantly beamed happily. "Thank you, teme. Neji. Shikamaru. And Hina-chan, thank you the most. I love you, you know?"

"You're welcome, dobe," Sasuke lazily yawned, but his best friend was too busy kissing Hinata to notice. 

The ravenette watched on as Naruto covered Hinata's face in small pecks, sending her into giggles as they exchanged 'I love you's.  It was all terribly sappy to him, but something about the way their eyes sparkled as they looked at each other made him feel alone. 

The look they gave each other, so full of love and happiness and longing, it made Sasuke realize he might never have true love like that which was ever so special. At that moment, Sasuke Uchiha knew that he would be forever lonely. Because he had lost his chance with his on true love. Because his father had sucked all the feelings except for anger and sadness out of him. 

"Sasuke."

That voice. 

That voice that hated him so much, was now speaking so softly to him. It made him forget what he was just thinking about, because he was so occupied with listening to this voice. 

Sakura Haruno tilted her head slightly to the side, her pink bangs falling across her forehead as her eyes looked down at the floor. Sasuke turned his attention away from Naruto and Hinata, making an effort to keep his face blank. "What do you want?"

His jerk demeanor was out again. It would go away for mostly everyone, but her. It was always her that received the end of his idioticness. 

Father would be proud. 

But I don't want him to be proud. 

Sakura's face retracted into a scowl instantly, but she sighed again and ran a hand through her soft cotton candy-like hair, keeping her cool. "I just want to say thank you. You were the last person I expected, but you believed in Naruto and me. I-I wasn't sure if anyone wou-"

"Don't worry about it," Sasuke replied, shocking her evidently. "The look in your eyes told me everything."

Her gaze softened. "Thank you so much."

What she did next shocked him the most. Sakura leaned forward and caught him in a warm embrace. It reminded him of his days as a child, carefree and happy. Surrounded by people who loved him for him, rather than his looks.

Sure, Sasuke had been hugged occasionally throughout his adult life. But never, not once, had a person besides Itachi and his mother made him feel so accepted, so cherished. And given that it was by the person that he loved just sent made Sasuke feel like fireworks were going off in his head. 

It was so nice. 

And it was so weird. 

Sasuke was so sure that Sakura hated him. No, he knew. He had lead her on, then broken her heart in the worst possible way. By dating her the person who bullied her instead. Sakura did hate him. 

So why did she make him feel special the most? 

Maybe...maybe he still had a chance after all. 

A chance for true love. 

------------------------------

woooo, another chapter done! sorry it took so long :(

pls don't be a silent reader <3

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Word count: 3233