Free Fall:
AN:Hiya everybodeyyyyy~ :D
If any of you has seen my other stories, you would know that they have been discontinued due to some personal reasons and such. Fear not, to refrain such things from happening again, all my stories will be no longer than 10 chapters :D Oh but of course, each chapter will be much longer than usual of course. So enough of my rantings, I bring you FREE FALL.
I hope you Enjoy! I do not own Naruto nor any of it's wonderful (or irritating) characters.
Two years ago...
Cheers and roars of utter delight were released from the individuals that had just been given reasons to celebrate, Chuunin that had now advanced to jonin level. While some jumped in glee and others gave out generous amounts of hugs, a certain female was contented with a small smile of her own. Her eyes glimmered at the thought of making her father proud, finally. At the fine age of 16 (made this shit up), Hinata has finally proven herself a capable enough shinobi and was at last able to meet her otou-sama's high expectations of a heiress. She almost shrieked in happiness as the giddiness came upon her, her mood at the peak of it's meter.
For the past few months before the exams, she had constantly tested her strength, pushing her limbs and chakra to it's limits. Each day with a minimum training of ten hours before she let herself fall limp to the ground. 'Hard work does pay off after all' the curve of her lips growing slightly wider.
"Congratulations Hinata! I see your efforts has not gone to waste" a familiar voice resounded from behind her as a gentle hand was placed upon her shoulder. She turned to come face-to-face with the Hokage herself. Tsunade watched as the young female brunette don a slight pink hue on her cheeks before bowing deeply, making a delicate brow raise on the Godaime's forehead 'always the overly polite one' she sighed to herself. Slowly rising up from her position, Hinata squeaked a soft greeting before answering the elder "Yes Hokage-sama, I thank you for your help. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't been able to get through" Hinata rushed before going for another bow to show her appreciation.
'Also always the humble one' Tsunade sighed out loud this time "Hinata, all I did was give you a few tips and useful routines on chakra control, it's all your own efforts in the end" as she gave a pat on Hinata's head, a rare affectionate gesture on her part "You did well kid, you deserve it" and smiled kindly.
Hinata's heart swelled at the praise of the Hokage. Remembering that she had to break the important news to her family, she thanked Tsunade again before politely excusing herself. 'Darn Hiashi' Tsunade watched the disappearing figure of the kind-hearted girl and frowned at the thought of the Hyuuga clan's head who had a stick up his ass 'he'd better appreciate all that she's done for him', she shook her head warily before making her way to a bar across the street.
Hinata was skipping her way back to the Hyuuga compound, humming a cheery song along as she watched the sceneries that seemed ever-so beautiful today. As each step led her closer to her home, her happiness intensified, imagining as she finally gained her father's love and recognition. Passing the wide looming gates of the Hyuuga compound, she was just about to open the door to the main house when one of the branch members approached her "Hinata-sama, Hyuuga-sama has asked for your presence immediately in the third quarter's conference room".
'Conference room? That's strange..usually it's only in the study room..' the previous joyful feelings immediately suffocated and self-buried as nervousness filled her system. Shaking her head to clear any dreadful thoughts away, she clenched her fists tightly in resoluteness before heading towards the conference room 'no I'm just thinking too much'
Upon arriving before the closed door, she knocked gently before announcing her arrival and waited for permission to enter. "Enter" the cold clipped tone of her father erupted, causing a shiver down her spine. Carefully sliding the door open before closing it after her, she bowed respectfully to her father and the elders, before taking a seat on the tatami mat on the floor beside her sister.
"As we have said before Hiashi-sama, it's beneficial to the clan. The change is inevitable and the difference is strength is too obvious to ignore. Consider this as a form of saving grace for you and the clan. Surely you wouldn't want someone as weak as her to lead this great clan?" as the elder man pointed an accusing finger towards Hinata. Her breath hitched as the words finally sunk in 'they want to replace me? They are taking my position away from me?..but..'.
Hiashi spared a wary glance at Hinata, the emotions she felt were clearly displayed on her paling face. After the death of Hanako(Hinata's mother's name wasn't stated), Hiashi could barely stay in the stay in the same room as his elder daughter, Hinata was almost an exact replica of his deceased wife. It pained him each time as he was reminded of the painful departure of his beloved wife, seeing as how Hinata's gentle demeanor and kind character were similar to Hanako's. Not daring to allow such things to happen to his daughter, he swore to make her stronger so she could defend herself. Stronger yes she had become, but it seemed that her improvements were not enough for the elders.
"No, this is improper, Hinata is the rightful heiress, you can not just take it away from her. What will the others think?" Hiashi nearly growled but held back his temper. Hinata's eyes widened in surprise when her father had defended her. Sure he had been treating her better after she had made chuunin but that was all, he still made harsh remarks when she made mistakes in sparring.
"What others think of her is nothing of proper now I can assure you. She is not strong enough to head the clan and it's members. In order to lead the clan, the leader must be the strongest of all, he or she must have the respect of all members. Your younger daughter has shown to be a much more suitable person to take the title" the elders eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the obvious anger that lit up in Hiashi's eyes.
As Hiashi was about to retort and refuse, another of the elder spoke up "If you persist on having this girl as your successor, then the younger one shall be marked with the curse seal and -"
"NO!" Hinata shouted out 'Hanabi must not get the seal..she has the potential and I will not allow her to feel caged' her thoughts flew to Neji immediately "Y-You can't do that! Woman from the main house are n-not supposed to be sealed off!" her voice in distress as she turned her head to face her sister. For the first time in her life, she had seen her baby sister so frightened. Gripping Hanabi's small hand in her warm one, she squeezed lightly, hoping the gesture would bring some comfort to her little sister.
Barely reacting to Hinata's sudden outburst, the elder scoffed "oh? then what do you suppose we do? Surely when you have the audacity to so rudely interrupt, you have a much better solution to this?". Hinata knew what they were aiming for, though she wasn't a born genius like Neji nor had the high level of intelligence of Shikamaru, she had easily picked up what they were asking from her. Using Hanabi as bait was a cheap blow.
Lowering her head to cover her anger "If you wish... I shall give up my place as the heiress..just..just leave Hanabi alone.." her eyes teared at the thought of her baby sister being controlled and under the immense torture of an activated seal.
Hiashi's body went rigid as he heard Hinata's words. As the personal trainer of Hanabi, he could admit that his younger daughter was a force to reckoned with, but with time after much observations of both his daughters sparrings, he understood that Hinata was not to be underestimated. He had looked closely that particular day as Hinata and Hanabi were sparring, focusing his sights on Hinata instead of Hanabi and trying to figure out where he went wrong with Hinata when he saw it. Through each seemingly sluggish movement of hers was actually a well thought out action. Hinata wasn't as weak as she seemed, he realized.. she was in fact holding back, careful not to get her little sister hurt.
His eyes darting between his two daughters, "Hinata, think carefully of your words before you speak. This is not a simple matter.. are you sure you want to give your title to Hanabi?" he stressed his words on her, hoping to make her understand what she was giving up on. Hanabi clearly shocked by her sister's answer was shaking her head wildly "N-no nee-san, I can take the seal, you don't have to do this". Hinata smiled at her sister's bravery, even though she must feel terrified at the moment.
There was a silence before she spoke, her voice no louder than a whisper but her words sunk heavily on her shoulders "Yes I am sure".
Stopping near the boundaries of Suna, was the few survivors of team Taka, having set up a camp in the forest. The two wanderers had been traveling aimlessly for the past few months, with no absolute destination or goals to achieve, days passed by ever so slowly. "Ahhhh, I'm so bored. When can we find a nice place to stay?" Suigetsu whined for what seemed like the millionth time today "I still don't get it, I mean..we helped save the world right? So aren't we supposed to be heroes or something?" he said as he daydream-ed of the soft fluffy pillows and royal beds.
"Don't be stupid Suigetsu, we were once accomplices of Oorochimaru and Akatsuki, you think they'd throw a damn party for us?" the raven haired boy finally replied, not able to stand it after hours and hours of his companion's insufferable complaining. He roughly snapped a fallen branch into two before tossing it into the campfire. Suigetsu sulked at how his team mate was so damn 'talkative' and started grumbling, muttering incoherent words under his breath.
There was a long period of silence before Sasuke abruptly go up from his seat and unsheathed his katana (is that what it's called?), Suigetsu immediately stood in his stance, preparing himself for any attacks. "Come out! I know you're there!" Sasuke growled out, a Chidori sparking at his clenched fist. Not a second more after he spoke, they were surrounded by five Anbu Black Ops (Wolf, Monkey Lion, Otter and Bear) encircled like preys to predators. Both of them back to back tensed when one (wolf) who seemingly was in command, moved forward "Uchiha Sasuke and Hozuki Suigetsu, we have been ordered to bring you back to Konoha and will not resort to force unless necessary. It is wiser for you to come with us as accordingly"
Sasuke nearly guffawed at their words "go with you? You think I'm just going to let you take me back to tie and lock me up? I'm not stupid" he spat "besides, I doubt you can even bring me back" his coal black eyes glistened fiercely.
"So I see.. we have no choice but to resort to force then" and with a nod, three of the clad in black figures (Monkey, Lion and Otter) moved forward to confront Suigetsu and Sasuke. With a quick leap to the left, Sasuke dodged a speeding Kunai that almost imbedded into his chest. Quickly getting separated from Suigetsu, Sasuke moved to confront the two whom he was against. Grabbing his own Kunai from his pouch, he swiftly blocked off the incoming shurikens and made the hand signs "Katon: Gokakyu no Justu!" and let out a big ball of flame towards the Anbu. Not wasting time, he shot out a few kunai with explosive tags immediately after the fire ball. As the smoke cleared from the explosion, Sasuke activated his Sharingan, tomoe spinning wildly as he readied himself in case for attacks. Feeling a slightly shift of wind from his right, he quickly blocked with his katana as it slid back against the impact of the downward force. Digging his feet into the dirt, he pushed back against the Wolf.
Not taking any chances, the other two Anbu soon joined in to the fight, slowly tiring out the two by numbers. Sasuke by now with a few cuts here and there was obviously realizing their plans to tire them out and not wanting to waste any more time, decided to take measures "Suigetsu MOVE!" he shouted and made a few hand signs "Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu!"and shot chakra filled flames in a full circle. With the distraction, he quickly made his next attack, black lines merging and splitting into an atomic orbit shape he muttered under his breath "Ametarasu" and watched as black flames devoured the trees and land. Two of the Anbu not being fast enough, got caught in the terrifying ink black flames, pain coursing through their body.
Sasuke watched as the others hurried the two, unsure as to how to aid in their dying comrades. Suddenly, there was a drastic drop in temperature and the Anbu seemingly in trance, moved a few steps back. The monstrous damaging flames that were once killing and burning down everything in it's path suddenly ceased to exist, instead was replaced by huge stabs of ice. Sasuke's eyes widened at the sight 'what?! that's impossible, no water or normal technique should be able to defuse the flames. Ice?!..' he could only remember one person whom used Ice Release and said person was already deceased.
Then for the first time, Sasuke noticed the new presence. Even though he was standing a mere said ten metres away from them, Sasuke could hardly detect the person's chakra in the air. With his back facing the supposed enemies, he gave a few signals of the hand and sent the four injured members away. Not liking that he was almost completely being ignored by the new addition, Sasuke spoke gruffly "What, so you're the leader eh? What type of coward are you, hiding behind your own team. Pathetic, and this is what Konoha has become?"
The one whom Sasuke at first thought to be the leader, Wolf, seemed to react against his claim, stepping forward only to stop his forwarding steps instantly with a raised hand of the new addition. Turning slowly, Sasuke's eyes widened unnoticeably when the pure white mask was revealed under the dim light of the moon. 'A skull? Doesn't all Anbu masks only consist of animals?'.
Now entirely facing him, Sasuke quickly assessed the person infront of him. Lifting a hand slowly before stopping with it straight stretched out infront of him, Skull stuck out his finger before bringing it back "come" it indicates, beckoning Sasuke. His temper getting the best of him and his patience wearing thin, he did as was asked of him. Starting with slow steps before turning to full strides, his Katana gripped tightly at a fourty-five degrees behind him, he charged towards the offending opponent. Bringing his katana down with a wide arc, his sword met with a loud cling of metal against metal. Slashing dangerous and wildly, Skull merely dodged gracefully and easily. Charging down his katana with electricity, he back a few steps before sending a big bolt of lighting towards Skull. The blue bolt of lightning headed in blinding speed and just before it hit it's target, a big wall of ice interceded it's attack and crumbled to the ground, diffusing the voltage efficiently.
Moving with speed that even his sharingan could hardly catch, Skull sped from one place to another, disappearing and reappearing behind him. With all the speed that he could manage, he swung his katana roughly to his back before it hit something 'got him!' Sasuke's one small moment of smugness was turned to anger when the figure poof-ed and disappeared. Before he could move or had the chance to counter, a weight landed on his katana's end. With the end beneath one foot, Skull twisted forward and brought the other foot down and broke the metal piece to half. Then, with a flash of movement, Skull's sword was below his neck, the tip driving in the slightest, a trickle of blood flowing down his collar bone.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes when he thought he heard the faintest sound of a chuckle before a sharp throb came to the back of his neck. Then slowly, his blurry world faded to black.
Yupp, so that was the end of Chapter 1 :D I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Review Review Review aites?
If you're confused about something or if there was a mistake I made, please feel free to let me know.
Do so kindly of course, I'm not able to take too harsh of criticism :X Okie dokie till next time Sayonara!
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KemeYeoz,