Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I only own the plot.
Summary: Kabuto found a way that could make Sasuke a better vessel for Orochimaru. It involves participation from an unwilling Hinata.
Chapter One: Captured
The glaring afternoon sunlight did not make its way through Orochimaru's underground lair. White wax candles on snake heads made of stone dimly lighted its hallways, casting shadows of Orochimaru and Kabuto on its dirty halls.
"Orochimaru-sama, I've found out a way to make Sasuke a better vessel for you. I've invented a way to merge genes of people with advanced bloodlines so that they can have powers of more than one advanced bloodline. We could try it on Sasuke," Kabuto reported, his eyes not leaving Orochimaru's thin slit-like eyes.
Orochimaru licked his chapped lips with his purple tongue. Orochimaru smirked and said "Who do we need then?" This discovery of Kabuto's sounded attractive to him. Sasuke would agree to try it, because it would greatly increase the chances of him defeating Itachi.
"A Hyuuga," Kabuto answered. "A Hyuuga would be the best. Their eyes can see important chakra points of an opponent. Coupled with a Uchiha's Sharingan, Sasuke will be more powerful," he continued.
"More powerful than me?" Orochimaru sneered.
"You should have more faith in me, Orochimaru-sama. If I can put a gene in Sasuke, I can take it out easily if he dares to betray you," Kabuto smirked.
"Who should we get then?" Orochimaru asked.
"We can get a weak Hyuuga. It's easier to capture a weak person. We can still obtain optimum results, because all we need is a Hyuuga's gene. I already have in mind who to capture, Hyuuga Hinata," Kabuto replied.
"I will count on you to do it then," Orochimaru laughed at the prospect of obtaining more power and walked deeper into his lair, disappearing into darkness. Kabuto was left in the hallway, smirking. What an easy mission this is, he thought.
Meanwhile, a 17 year old Hinata was training rigorously in the forests of Konoha. The bright afternoon sunlight and its unbearable heat were blocked by the lush canopy of trees. Hinata was training with her teammates, Aburame Shino and Inuzuka Kiba.
"Hinata, take a break. I'm beat," Kiba groaned as he dodged a kunai from Hinata who skillfully hid herself in the trees.
Panting, Hinata jumped down from the tree and landed gracefully on the forest floor.
They all sat on under a large rain tree as they quenched their thirst from the clean water in their canteens.
"Hinata, Shino and I think we've done enough today. Can we end today's training soon? Naruto owes me 5 bowls of ramen because he lost his bet that Sakura won't punch him if he kissed her," Kiba pleaded with Hinata, trying to make his eyes puppy-dog-like.
"Ano… If you guys are tired, we can end the training, but I would like to train some more on my own." Hinata replied softly, lowering her head so that they wouldn't see a blush creeping to her cheeks when they mentioned Naruto.
Shino and Kiba bade farewell to Hinata and left, walking in the direction to Konoha. Hinata thought about what Kiba had said.
"lost his bet that Sakura won't punch him if he kissed her,"
That meant that Naruto kissed Sakura!
Wasn't she strong enough? Why didn't Naruto notice her after all she had done to make herself stronger? Why did he like the girl with pink bubblegum-coloured hair? Is Sakura better than her?
A single tear rolled down her cheek as she thought more and more about it.
Disgusted by her own display of weakness, Hinata wiped away her tear as soon as it appeared. She stood up from her sitting position under the tree. She would train more to become stronger, to become more like Naruto, then he will notice her.
She jumped up a tree and began her sprint to the nearest pond, the pond she always went to. She loved training on water. She loved the peaceful sound of water flowing, she loved the fluid motion of water which inspired her and she loved the gentle feeling of water under her sandals.
She reached the pond in a couple of minutes. The pond felt slightly different today. She sensed the presence of another person, hiding. She did not know whom, but that person might not be good. Increasing her alertness, she moulded some chakra to her feet and stepped on the pristine clear water. She began her warm up, a water dance to get her heart pumping, never lowering her guard.
In the middle of her dance when she was swirling, her alertness failed her as she failed to react fast enough when someone appeared behind her. She was shocked and turned to face the assailant. He delivered a hard blow to the side of the neck and all she saw a glint of light reflected from a pair of spectacles.
Oblivion.
"Easy. How easy," Kabuto thought to himself and smirked as he carried Hinata back to Orochimaru's lair.