A/N: Here is the first chapter of Sasuke's Moving Castle. Now since Cloaked and Sasuke's Moving Castle tied, I'm going to do both (God help me!). I'm going to do alternating chapter weeks, except for this week, where I'm going to post both, so what I mean is that next week will be chapter 2 of Cloaked and the week after that will be chapter 2 of Sasuke's Moving Castle. Just to remind everyone NONE OF THE COUPLES HAVE BEEN DECIDED YET! There will be a time where I will ask for a vote and then they will be decided, however until that point this will be under Sasuke and Hinata as they are the two main characters. ON WITH THE STORY
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Howls Moving castle, the one adapted from the book by Mr. Miyazaki and the book in general by Ms. Diana Wayne Jones
Chapter 1: Picking an Apprentice
The land was bathed in a soft orange glow, as the sun began to rise on the horizon. The rays of the sun warmed and spread across the fields, towns, and houses at it greeted the world for a bright new day. A teenage girl sat on the roof of her house watching the approaching dawn; her white eyes reflecting the light. She sighed and buried her head in her arms trying to find her courage.
"Hinata!" her guardian Kurenai called. "Come inside its time for breakfast."
Hinata stood and stepped into the chimney that led into a bedroom. The boy that was standing at the foot of one of the two beds jumped at the sight of the girl.
"Holy…! Hinata! I told you to stop doing that!" the brown haired boy demanded.
"Sorry Shikamaru-kun." Hinata giggled.
The brown haired boy smirked and beckoned for her to follow him. Both teenagers walked out of their shared bedroom, and walked down the stairs.
"I wonder when Kurenai is going to say something about the magic smokeless chimney that's sticking out of our house." Another, older man asked, as he stood at the bottom of the stairs.
Hinata blushed and Shikamaru scoffed at his sensei and turned to enter in the kitchen but threw a snide comment at the man over his shoulder.
"Leave Hinata alone, at least she has the courage to talk to Kurenai about it, unlike you, who still happens to be a bachelor and living in the love of his life's house." Shikamaru commented.
"Why you little!" The man snapped and was about to lunge for his apprentice when the kitchen door opened revealing a tall, curvaceous woman with long dark brown hair and red eyes.
"What are you two arguing about now?" Kurenai asked hands planted firmly on her hips.
"Nothing dear." Asuma said sheepishly.
"Good, now come on, it's time for breakfast." Kurenai said, leading the way into the kitchen.
Hinata had been living with Kurenai since she was twelve and with Asuma, her guardian's long time boyfriend, and his young apprentice Shikamaru Nara since she was fourteen. Hinata had moved in with Kurenai, a longtime friend of her deceased mother, when her father had disowned her.
The Hyuuga family has always been a family of powerful wizards and witches. Each Hyuuga possessed a special magic they were all adept in called the Jyuuken. Jyuuken magic, was a special magic that only Hyuuga's could use much like the Sharingan magic the Uchiha clan once possessed. Each Hyuuga, from an early age is trained in this type of combat magic, when coupled with their Byakugan the Hyuuga were unstoppable.
However when Hinata was born, she showed minimal if any signs of being compatible with the famous Jyuuken, and while her Hyuuga powers grew stronger as she got older, she was never up to par. Now she lived with Kurenai who detested magic, and never mentioned a word about it. Magic was dangerous and could have devastating effects on those without it. But Hinata wanted, more than anything, to become a witch. On the day she moved in with Kurenai she had promised herself to prove her father wrong by becoming stronger and proving Kurenai wrong by creating good, and the first step was to become the apprentice to a witch or wizard. Shikamaru, knew of Hinata's dream and supplied the comforting confidence she needed to approach Kurenai, and today was the day. Today was the last chance she would get to ask her guardian until she would have to wait another five years until the opportunity would come again to become the apprentice of a fully fledged wizard or witch.
"So nice weather we've got around here huh?" Shikamaru asked awkwardly.
The question fell unanswered, and everyone continued to eat in silence. Asuma opened his mouth to say something, however the air was so tense that he shut his mouth.
"Well, that was a nice breakfast." Kurenai began, standing and turning towards the kitchen.
"Hinata!" Shikamaru hissed.
The dark haired girl swallowed hard and weakly called out her guardian's name.
"Kurenai?" Hinata said softly.
"Yes?" the woman asked confused.
"N-nothing." Hinata mumbled.
The woman shrugged and turned away again. Shikamaru smacked Hinata's elbow hard, causing the girl to squeak. Just as Kurenai was about to disappear into the kitchen Hinata rose from the table.
"I want to become a witch!" She said all in one breath, eyes closed and cheeks flushed.
Kurenai froze in the doorway before slowly turning around to face her ward. The two women locked eyes, until finally Hinata lowered her eyes in shame.
"Asuma take Shikamaru and leave, we need to talk." Kurenai said softly.
The two men left without a word, but before Shikamaru disappeared he gave his friend a thumbs up. Hinata stood there for a few minutes waiting for Kurenai to say something. After what felt like forever Kurenai finally spoke.
"Why?" Was her soft one word question.
Hinata took a deep breath and prepared to speak, but stopped, when she saw Kurenai's face. The woman's head was buried in her hands; her shoulders slumped, as she waited for Hinata to speak.
"Sensei I…" Hinata trailed off.
Kurenai looked into Hinata's eyes. Her face looked old and weary despite her young age, and this was all Hinata needed to spur her on.
"I was b-b-born to be a w-witch. It's my f-f-family legacy!" Hinata stammered. "It's very i-i-important to me that I do this to p-prove to my f-family that I'm n-not worthl…"
"What about this family!" Kurenai interrupted. "What about me! And Shikamaru, and Asuma? We're your family now Hinata! What has magic ever done for you!"
"But Sensei I…!" Hinata began but was cut off.
"No! I'll tell you what magic brought you! Heartache, when you were disowned. Weakness, when you couldn't keep up with your family. Death of my family and your mother…!" Kurenai shouted standing.
Silence fell between the two of them, tears gathering in her white eyes, as Kurenai too broke down.
"Magic will only be destructive; it will destroy everything in your life…why would you want that?" Kurenai trailed off.
"…Y-you're right." Hinata said, forcing a smile, as the tears began to trail down her cheeks. "Forget I asked, I-I-I'll be up in my r-room if you n-n-need me." Hinata said after a long moment of silence.
With that Hinata walked out of the room as quickly as possible, almost tripping over Asuma and Shikamaru who had been listening right outside the door. Hinata fell back on her bed and covered her face just crying. Hours later there was a soft knock on her door.
"Come in." Hinata said softly.
The door opened to reveal Kurenai who walked slowly towards Hinata's bed. The dark haired girl sat up at the sight of the older woman.
"Sensei…?" Hinata asked.
"Hinata we need to talk about what happened earlier." Kurenai breathed.
"No w-we don't it's okay r-r-really." Hinata tried to pacify her.
"No it's not okay." Kurenai said bitterly shaking her head.
"Alright, we can t-t-t-talk if you w-want to." Was Hinata's soft reply.
"Come with me." Kurenai said, beckoning for the girl to follow her.
Hinata followed her guardian until they reached one of the closets in the hallway. Kurenai opened the door, and instead of the old cloaks and towels she was expecting to find Hinata saw a long staircase that disappeared into darkness.
"K-Kurenai." Hinata began. "This was never h-here before."
"Follow me Hinata." Kurenai said, already climbing the steps.
Hinata followed her guardian into the darkness, walking up the never-ending staircase. Suddenly Kurenai stopped making Hinata crash into her. Hinata peeked over the woman's shoulder and saw that they had stopped outside a door. Kurenai turned back to Hinata, and gave her a weak smile before opening the door. They walked into the room and Hinata was in awe. Not only had she never noticed the door with the staircase but she had been positive that there was no attic, if that's what this room could be called. It was pristine, and white with a vaulted ceiling that seemed to stretch to the sky. There were large windows and even a balcony.
"Sensei…w-what is this?" Hinata asked confused.
Kurenai didn't answer her and instead made her way to a small chest that was pushed against one of the walls. She bent down and opened it before reaching in and pulling out large books, cloaks, and other miscellaneous items, that seemed too big to fit in such a tiny chest. Finally she pulled out a rather dusty looking book and a large square box. Hianta opened her mouth to question her again, but stopped when Kurenai handed her the book. Cautiously Hinata opened the book, and was met with the smiling face of her sensei only a lot younger and more innocent. In the picture she was dressed in dark colored robes, holding a pointed hat in one hand. Amazed she continued to flip through the pages until she reached the last one. She froze when she saw the picture and glanced up at Kurenai before looking back down, her white eyes filling with tears.
"W-w-what does this…?" Hinata began, looking up at the woman with her cloudy white eyes.
"I…I was an apprentice witch once too." Kurenai said softly. "Your mother was my mentor. She taught me everything I know about magic."
"But then…" Hinata began but was cut off again.
"I was there…I was the reason why she died." Kurenai said softly. "She told me that her magic was too dangerous, that I couldn't look through her books and spells because I could die. One day I decided to open it anyway…"
Hinata shook her head in disbelief as Kurenai pulled out a locked book and shoved it into Hinata's hands.
"I thought I was trained enough, I thought I was mature, and powerful enough but… when I opened the book, whatever came out of it almost killed me. I don't remember much, the only thing I remember with outstanding clarity is when I woke up I was laying in a puddle of your mother's blood." Kurenai explained. "The last words she ever spoke to me was 'take care of Hinata' you were only six at the time, your sister barely one, but that's what I've done, I've protected you. From your father and from magic… I've tried to protect you."
Hinata ran her fingers over the lock on the book and absently wondered how her mother managed to seal the book with such a strong lock and what was in it that could kill a person.
"But I see now that magic is something you need, something that your mother would want you to have, so…" Kurenai trailed off, pulling out a long crimson colored robe and a matching witch hat before handing both of them to her. "I give you my apprentice robes that your mother made for me, and my blessing to become an apprentice."
Hinata sat stunned for a few minutes, before everything sunk in. She breathed out in a short gasp as the tears welled in her eyes, and she slowly placed the witch hat on her head.
"I understand, and I will m-make you both p-proud." Hinata said after a moment.
"I know you will." Kurenai said, giving her a watery smile before hugging Hinata tightly.
After sharing their moment, Kurenai pulled away from her and dried the tears on her pale face.
"You better start packing if you and Shikamaru want to make it in time." Kurenai said gently.
Hinata nodded before springing to her feet and running down the stairs calling for Shikamaru.
-Page Break-
Sasuke stumped down the stairs of his manor rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He was definitely not a morning person.
"Morning sssssasuke." The snake in a cage hissed from its place near the fire.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted sitting at the table. "Suigetsu!"
"What the hell do you want ass hole?" Suigetsu asked walking to the table.
"Breakfast." The Uchiha groaned.
"I'm not your slave!" Suigetsu snapped but started breakfast anyway.
"I want an omelet with tomatoes and cheese!" Sasuke called after him, ignoring the muffled curse from the other male.
"Sssssssasuke…" the snake hissed curling around the teens arm.
"How the hell did you get out of your cage, Orochimaru?" Sasuke asked the white and purple snake.
"Sssssssssasuke." Orochimaru hissed, ignoring his previous question. "Do you know what today issssssss?"
"I don't care!" He growled standing and shoving the snake back into the cage.
Sasuke sat back down and laid his head in his arms and tried to fall back to sleep.
"Ku ku ku ku ku…" the snake laughed.
"Fine," Sasuke groaned. "What the hell is so funny?"
"Nothing." The snake said. "I jussssst thought you would be curioussss to know what today isssss becaussssse it will change your life."
Sasuke didn't respond, instead he turned and glared at the snake with cold, dark eyes, that urged him to continue.
"Today issssss the day that all witchsssssss and wizardssssss pick their apprenticessssss." The snake hissed.
"So?" Sasuke grumbled, not getting the point.
The snake sighed exasperated. "Let me rephrase that. Today is the day that you Sasuke Uchiha must report to the palace to pick your new apprentice."
The Uchiha sat unmoving for a minute, blinking dumbly at the snake before jumping to his feet and dashing up the stairs only to rush back down, his wizard robe hanging loosely on his thin frame. He threw open the door and disappeared outside muttering curses underneath his breath.
"Ku ku ku ku." The snake laughed as Suigetsu walked in.
"What's so funny?" Suigetsu asked setting down Sasuke's omelet and his own breakfast on the table.
"Nothing," the snake reassured. "But I think we'll be getting a new house guest soon."
"Today's the day he was supposed to pick his apprentice huh?" Suigetsu asked.
The snake nodded in the cage before laughing harder.
"That bastard." He whispered, putting his breakfast in the snake's cage and throwing Sasuke's in the fire before grabbing his cloak and rushing out the door to catch up with Sasuke.
-Page Break-
"You know? Sometimes I think that you're more trouble than your worth." Shikamaru said lazily, steering the horse and small cart they were taking to the capital.
Hinata visibly sagged at the comment, her fingers pushing together shyly as she tried to think of a way to apologize to her friend.
"Not often though." Shikamaru continued after a moment, tapping her nose gently.
Hinata smiled brightly up at him, and continued to stare straight ahead as they entered Konoha, capital city of the land of fire. The streets were full of people, all bustling in excitement to see the new apprentices of the wizards and witches. Hinata watched with sparkling eyes at all the colors, and excitement. Food vendors called to them and she let the sight and smells wash over her.
"How long has it been since you've been in the capital?" Shikamaru asked.
"Eight years." Hinata breathed her expression becoming melancholy.
Shikamaru placed a comforting hand on the girls shoulder, who turned and smiled at him sadly. She sighed and relaxed back in her seat as they continued towards the palace. As they got closer and closer the crowd of people got thicker and thicker, until finally they couldn't go any further.
"I-I'm nervous Shikamaru-kun." Hinata said weakly, looking at the throngs of people. "What if I d-d-don't get p-picked?" she stammered.
"You will Hinata I promise." Shikamaru reassured.
Hinata nodded breathing deeply, she leaned over and hugged Shikamaru tightly.
"Thank you Shikamaru-kun." Hinata said softly.
"No problem, the next time I see you I know you'll be a full witch." He reassured.
Hinata nodded before hopping down from the cart and grabbing her bag of clothes and other important things that she had taken with her. Taking a deep breath she slipped on her robes and secured her hat before disappearing in to the crowd.
-Page Break-
"You're an ass." Suigetsu growled at Sasuke.
"I heard you the first eight times." Sasuke snapped. "Besides if you're going to be this annoying you shouldn't have come in the first place!"
"I had to come! I had to make sure that you picked a girl apprentice." Suigetsu explained.
Sasuke stopped short and gave Suigetsu a disbelieving glare. Before shaking his head and continuing to the castle.
"IF I pick an apprentice it will be a boy, like usual." Sasuke said with an air of finality.
"Oh hell no!" Suigetsu exclaimed. "I'm putting my foot down! We're getting a girl apprentice and that's that!"
"They will be my apprentice, not yours. You don't get to choose!" Sasuke growled, reaching his pique. "And why is it so important that it's a girl?"
"Why do you think?" Suigetsu answered outraged. "I haven't seen a girl in years!"
"Stop being dramatic, it hasn't been years." Sasuke muttered, trying to regain his broody I-don't-give-a-damn composure.
Suigetsu suddenly stopped, eyeing Sasuke warily. The dark haired young man turned around to glare.
"What!" he demanded after a minute.
"It's odd that you wouldn't want a female apprentice." Suigetsu said skeptically. "You probably haven't seen a girl in longer than I have."
"Why should I? So she can stare and paw at me? And whine and complain as much as you do?" Sasuke commented raising an eyebrow. "It's already like I'm living with a woman, why would I get another one?"
"I think it's for an entirely different reason." Suigetsu said boldly.
"Yeah? What reason?" Sasuke said testily, his bored expression melting away.
"I don't know Sas-GAY why don't you tell me!" Suigetsu accused.
Sasuke's eye's narrowed in anger before he swiftly punched Suigetsu in the face fully intent on turning back around and making his way to the castle.
"Hmph, you must be gay, that punch was nothing!" Suigetsu claimed, wiping blood from his chin.
Sasuke whirled around actually contemplating killing the man in front him, before he decided a slightly less drastic course of action.
"I can have any girl I want at any time." Sasuke hissed. "I'm comfortable with my sexuality, unlike someone else. Why are you so quick to point fingers Suigetsu? Maybe it's to hide your true feelings?"
Suigetsu's face turned red, and he was about to protest when he was knocked to the ground. Sasuke looked surprised for a moment before putting his mask of indifference back on.
"I-I-I'm so s-sorry!" the girl apologized quickly getting to her feet and bowing low.
"It's alright." Suigetsu said standing and handing the witch hat to the girl.
"T-thank you." The girl said smiling shyly.
She had long dark blue hair and pale eyes, that reminded Sasuke of something, but who couldn't quite pin point what. Her cheeks were stained a light pink and she fidgeted with her hat. He scoffed and turned away.
"Hurry up." He commanded Suigetsu. "We have to be somewhere, leave this klutzy ditzy idiot here, and keep going."
Sasuke kept walking, not bothering to see if Suigetsu was following him or not. The other man glared, and gave him the finger before grinning at the girl, his sharp shark like teeth showing.
"Sorry my master's an ass, who are you?" he asked.
"Hi-Hinata, and it's alright it was my f-fault." Hinata answered quietly her cheeks bright red from embarrassment.
"Suigetsu." He told her without waiting for her to ask the same question. "And I have to go, see you later! Hey ass hole wait up!" he yelled at Sasuke's retreating back before speeding up to catch him.
Hinata watched puzzled for a moment, wondering how two drastically different people could work cooperatively. However now that her buffers from the crowd had left, the people swarmed in around her again. Hinata struggled to squeeze through the throngs of people only succeeding in disorienting herself. She knew she had to get to the castle before apprentices were picked, or she wouldn't find a master. With that thought in mind she resolved to find a way through the crowd. Her eyes drifted towards the clouds, and a small smile crossed her face as she began muttering under her breath.
-Page Break-
Suigetsu trudged behind Sasuke, complaining and insulting the Uchiha every step of the way. Suddenly the air became thick and Sasuke stopped immediately looking around for the source of the magic that just surrounded them.
"What now?" Suigetsu snapped.
Sasuke turned to glare at him, about to tell him off when he saw a small cloud flying towards them. Without thinking the Uchiha grabbed Suigetsu's head and dragged him down with him to duck the speedy white cloud. When it passed he looked up, surprised to see the same girl from earlier sitting calmly on top of it as it made its way towards the castle.
"That's Hinata." Suigetsu said. "Take a look at that you ass! If you weren't rude to her we could have gotten a ride with her instead of walking!"
Sasuke ignored his servant, moving through the crowd with renewed haste. That girl was just an apprentice and she already seemed to have a natural talent for magic. Despite himself Sasuke was curious and wasn't going to leave his questions unanswered.
-Page Break-
Hinata reached the castle rather quickly after that. She stepped down gently on the top step and allowed the cloud to dissipate. Taking a deep breath and steeling her nerves she made her way inside the castle.
"Apprentice?" A pink haired girl who was waiting just inside asked, as if she didn't already know from Hinata's attire.
"Y-yes." Hinata confirmed.
"Welcome! My name is Sakura Haruno, apprentice to Lady Tsunade, head enchantress of the land of fire, come this way please miss…?"
"H-Hinata H-Hyuga." Hinata answered nervously.
"Of course Hinata-chan." Sakura said smiling warmly and leading her through various halls until they reached a giant glass dome.
Inside there were witches and wizards waiting to be chosen or to chose their next apprentice. Hinata's eyes immediately fell to the smallest girl in the room, whom she knew was no older than eleven.
"Hanabi-chan?" Hinata asked softly.
The girl turned at the sound of her name, her eyes cold and her expression indifferent. She gave a nod in her older sister's direction.
"Hinata." She answered.
"Hinata-sama?" an older voice asked.
Hinata turned to see her cousin Neji, quickly making his way over to her. He swept her into a quick hug before holding her out at arm's length.
"Are you alright Hinata-sama? You have not been harmed?" Neji asked.
"I'm perfectly f-fine ni-san." Hinata answered a smile finding its way onto her face. "It's been so long since I've seen you."
Neji nodded and looked like he was about to say something when loud gasps filled the room. The two Hyuga cousins turned to see who entered. Hinata paled when she realized it was the dark haired man from earlier with his servant Suigetsu. When the blonde haired man caught sight of her, he gave her a small wave, and flashed his shark toothed smile in her direction as his master was swarmed with the majority of the females in the room.
"Alright, now that everybody is here, we shall pick the apprentices." Sakura said, ushering all the new apprentices into line.
Hinata stared straight ahead, trying hard not to stare at one particular person, afraid of drawing attention to herself.
"Sabuku no Gaara, Hyuga Neji, Uzamaki Naruto, Sabuku no Temari, Kotetsu Natsu, and Uchiha Sasuke, you have come here today to choose your apprentice." Sakura said professionally. "Matsuri, Sarutobi Konohamaru, Hyuga Hanabi, Hyuga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, Akamichi Chouji, Yakushi Kabuto, and Karen, you have come today to be chosen as an apprentice and begin your magical training. Witches and Wizards determined by the previous order, Sabuku no Gaara will pick first."
A threatening red head stepped forward, his eyes were a cool aquamarine, and his face was blank. He scanned the group before pointing to the girl with red hair and glasses. She made a face before reluctantly stepping forward, but before she could reach him, he stopped her with a question.
"What land do you hail from?" his deep, rumbling voice questioned.
"Oto." Karen answered, an eyebrow raised.
He gestured for the young man with silver hair and glasses and asked the same question before dismissing him like the girl before him. Finally he turned to the younger girl with light brown hair and gestured her forward.
"I hail from Suna." She answered before he had a chance to ask.
"She will be my apprentice." He said simply to Sakura.
The pinkette blinked uncertainly for a moment before nodding and smiling, announcing that the next to pick was Uzamaki Naruto. A bright blonde with bright blue eyes bounded forward grinning at all the apprentices. Hinata felt her heart skip a beat and her cheeks flush at his bright smile. What she wouldn't give to be picked as his apprentice. Sadly it was not meant to be as he picked the next youngest, the boy Konohamaru.
"Next is Uchiha Sasuke." Hinata gulped when Sakura made this announcement.
Ino and Karen began to push and shove each other slightly attempting to make themselves more prominent while Hinata folded in on herself, hoping not to be noticed.
-Page Break-
Sasuke watched slightly amused, as Suigetsu prowled behind the apprentices, looking for one he found 'suitable'. He had to repress a sigh as he saw his only two options for boys was the fat one and the one with the glasses neither one a promising option. Suigetsu stopped behind the blonde girl and made curvey gestures with his hands before giving Sasuke thumbs up. Sasuke shook his head and shot Suigetsu a heated glare before he could even examine Karen. His only two real female options were the Hyuga girls. The one was young and probably a promising prodigy, while the other was a stuttering klutz, but an apprentice that could cast high level spells. He watched as Suigetsu made his way over to Hinata? That's what he thought her name was anyway. He pointed at her and nodded his head, Sasuke only giving him a skeptical look. Suigetsu glanced at the two boys and shook his head vigorously, falling to his knees behind Hinata who seemed to shrink away from his gaze, and begged him silently. On one hand Sasuke did want to find out how she had cast the spell she did, on the other hand she was a girl. He glanced behind him at the other fully fledged wizards and witches. The other Hyuga was sending a murderous glare at Suigetsu, which meant that he wanted Hinata. Without a second thought Sasuke's mind was made up. Maybe if he was lucky the Hyuga boy would kill Suigetsu in rage, ah a man could dream.
"That one, Hyuga Hina-something." Sasuke said cooly pointing in her direction.
Three things happened all at once, the tension in the room rose to dangerous levels, Suigetsu let out a triumphant cry while jumping to his feet, and Hinata fainted, crumbling to the ground like a heap of rocks.
A/N: REVIEW PLEASE!