Look Beyond Onyx Eyes

Thank you to all my reviewers! I thought I'd take a little bit and thank you each personally!

Kimmy666-Thank you so much for the awesome review! I recently became a SasuHina fan myself, and so that's why I wrote this story. I guess even though Sasuke was a jerk in some episodes, I started to understand where he was coming from, so I wrote this fic.

Jigoku Esther-What's going to happen is quite surprising actually, even though I'm the author, I still think the outcome is going to be good. So here is your update Jigoku!

Queen46-Thank you. I promise it'll continue to be awesome!

WinterKaguya-Hello ! Thank you so much for your review, and yes, I thought making Ten Ten funny would be nice. She gives me that kind of impression, my reasons…not sure. By the way, can't wait to finish reading your awesome story!

P.R Gurl-Thank you. I'm happy you thought so, and here is the promised update!

Heavenleehime-I appreciate it very much. Hopefully, the way I'm trying to develop is to your liking!

Foreveralone16-Great. SasuHina fans have to stick together . Yeah, staring her down like a piece of meat. I thought that would be pretty amusing, and believe it or not, I got the idea from another story of mine, from a review. Ever since, I've wanted to put it in a story somewhere, and here it is.

NanamiYatsumaki-Thank you so much. I'm happy you liked the start. Hopefully, the ending will be good for you too.

Inimi-Yeah, I realized that most stories have the same line, but my story will gather a more in depth plot soon, like most of my stories. I like complicated plots. It makes the story longer and more interesting. Also thank you for the good writer comment. I'm happy that you think so! And here is the update so you can continue reading!

Without a care-Thank you very much! I'm happy you want to continue reading it, and I'll make sure your read is going to keep you on the edge of your seat! Please keep reviewing

Kenshinlover2002-It is a nice pairing, isn't it? Well, here is the update!

Luffy02-The Naruto/Sakura/Sai thing is my entire reason why Hinata chose not to be with Naruto. I mean, more complication if she's still in love with him, have to have a reason for her not to like him. Here is your update.

Again, I really appreciate all the reviews! I honestly didn't expect to get this many for the first chapter, let alone the story since I'm fairly new to SasuHina ((Writing it anyway)) and I didn't know if I captured them well or not. Promise the plot will thicken a LOT soon. Hope you'll be able to keep up!

Chapter two: I think he likes you

That night, Ino and Ten Ten had long since gone. Ten Ten left later, but she made sure to say goodbye to Hinata, sometimes she actually forgot. Hinata actually wondered if she was only her friend because of Neji…nah, that was nonsense. She'd been Hinata's friend even when Neji was a jerk to her.

She sat on a small cushioned nook by her ground level window and gazed out, watching the sun set in the sky slowly fading together a mixture of colors. Stray rain clouds obstructed some of the view, and Hinata wondered if it was going to rain again. Konoha was sure to be under water once the spring season was over.

Hinata got up and changed into a warm bed yukata, which was an off white, almost beige color with pure white linings. She let her indigo hair fall freely over her shoulders as she brushed it, and braided it. Lying down, Hinata's mind traveled over everything she thought of before she slept. Her friends, the clan, missions…but this time before she drifted off, her mind grazed a new subject. The mysterious Uchiha. For some reason, even though it didn't seem like such a big deal, she had the oddest tugging feeling it was a big deal. She tried telling herself that coming back from Orochimaru and all, he might just be going crazy…she didn't like to think so, but that's all she could land on. Tomorrow, she thought about going to ask Sakura about that before she was sent on a mission. Before the day had ended, she was informed by Shizune that she'd be going on a mission with someone, but Shizune didn't tell her exactly who. She had to be up early, and speaking of early, she should try to sleep instead of going on and on in her head about that strange man.

Hinata closed her eyes reluctantly, and even though she tried, it took her at least half an hour before she actually drifted into a comfortable sleep.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

Hinata woke up early, and dressed for the mission. A pair of ninja Capri's with a fishnet top covered by a stomach guard, a jounin's vest. She tied her hair back, and slid on her sandles.

Hanabi was already seated at the table when she walked in, eating what looked like a meal for two families. Hinata rose an eyebrow at her sister. "Hanabi, if it weren't for father's training, you'd be as big as a pumpkin." Hinata joked with a small grin.

Hanabi smirked. "But see? That's the reason that I can afford to eat as much as I want." she said popping some fried shrimp into her mouth.

Hinata shook her head as she reached in the ridge for a small bottle of grape juice and grabbed a pear. "I guess I'll be on my way." said Hinata.

"See ya, and be careful on your mission today!" Hanabi said.

Hinata walked out and waved back at Hanabi.

Before she left on the mission, like she planned to do the night before, she stopped by Sakura's. She knocked and waited for an answer. There was none. "I wonder if she went to the hospital today…?" Hinata asked. As she turned to leave, Sakura answered the door. Her hair was a complete mess, her eyes, blackened, like she had hardly any sleep, if any. "S-sakura…chan?" Hinata asked concerned.

"Yes, Hinata?" Sakura asked.

"Um…well first off, are y-you okay?" Hinata asked.

Sakura smiled weakly. "Kids are more trouble than their worth." she said with humor although Hinata knew she didn't mean it. Sakrua stepped aside to allow Hinata in.

"Where is Sai?" asked Hinata.

"ANBU mission." Sakura said shortly. "Want anything?" she asked.

Hinata shook her head.

"So what brings you here?" Sakura asked.

"Just a couple of questions…" Hinata said.

Sakura left for a brief second and came back out with Sobuto. The kid had a strange hair color, seemed to be a purplish color, more than likely a mix between the navy and pink hair. She sat on the couch and gestured for Hinata to have a seat as well. "Questions, huh? Fire away." she said.

"Alright…what do you think about…Sasuke now?" Hinata asked.

Sakura looked at Hinata, a bit shocked. "Oh no, Hinata…he's nothing to chase after. I'm starting to think he doesn't even like girls. Don't try your luck, like I did." Sakura said.

"It's n-not that…well…never mind." Hinata thought she'd sound silly saying that he stopped at glared at her like a maniac.

Sakura grinned. "Don't worry about him, alright? Don't you have a mission today, or something?" she asked.

Hinata nodded. "Um, yes…see you later Sakura. Get some rest." Hinata said.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

"Hinata…you're late." Tsunade said.

Hinata bowed feebly. "I-I am sorry Tsunade-sama." she apologized.

"Hm…" Tsunade said. "Shizune told you about the mission, am I correct?" she said.

"Yes." Hinata said.

"You're partners today are going to be Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki. The reason that you will be going on a mission with him is because this isn't just any mission. You will be going to find out the whereabouts of Kabuto Yakushi. After we got the information out of Sasuke, we found out that Kabuto actually infused Orochimaru into himself. That's a risk we can't take seeing as he is taking over Kabuto's body. In other words, you and Sasuke along with Naruto will be gathering more information. " She said. "Sasuke knows a lot about kabuto and Orochimaru, and if he tries anything funny, you can handle him Hinata." Tsunade said.

"B-but why did you pick me?" she asked. "Why not…" and then she stopped. Many people had probably declined the mission and left Hinata, and Tsunade had to get someone to go, on top of that, Hinata had great spying skills. That and medical jutsu were her best, and if they had to fight Kabuto, Hinata would have the best chance. She nodded. But wait…did she just say SASUKE!?? "Y-you said, Naruto, he's coming too?" Hinata asked.

Tsunade smirked. "Yes. I'm sorry that you had to be the one to go. I originally intended for Ino to be taking part on this mission, but unfortunately, she declined, Sakura was too busy, and tired, none of the guys were good for this mission considering the lack medical skills, so I landed on you. I'll pay you double for this if you'll please go." Tsunade said.

Hinata wasn't one to just deny someone when they needed something. Also, this was their hokage, and she should do it. "I'll do it, Tsunade-sama…" Hinata said.

Tsunade smiled brightly. "Great!" she said.

Just as she said that, Naruto and Sasuke came in. Naruto sighed. "Alright, grandma Tsunade…what's the mission for today?" he asked. Despite his age, he still called Tsunade that. Sasuke said nothing as he approached the desk.

Hinata glanced at him out the corner of her eye. Tall, with dark navy hair, and onyx eyes. His gaze was cold and uninterested, and he looked so bored…Hinata stared at him intently. What human could live like this?

Suddenly, his eyes slowly moved to focus on her. He'd caught her staring, and that was embarrassing.

Hinata looked away quickly, fumbling with the bottom her jounin vest.

Tsunade explained the mission to Naruto and Sasuke in full detail, having to re-explain it for Naruto to finally catch on. "And this mission is not to be taken lightly. Sasuke…" Tsunade said.

He merely gazed at her.

"Do not mess up." she said.

Hinata thought that was something that Naruto would normally get told, but surprisingly…she knew what Tsunade meant though.

"Dismissed." Tsunade said as she kept her eyes on Sasuke.

He took no notice as he exited followed by Naruto and Hinata.

"Alright, here's the deal! As the obvious leader of this mission, I think we should go for ramen before we go fight sicko out there…" Naruto said with a grin on his face.

Sasuke sighed. "And what makes you think that we want to do that?" he asked.

"Well, you can't fight on an empty stomach…I don't think. Hinata, you agree, don't you?" he asked her hopefully.

Hinata smiled shyly at him. "W-well Naruto-kun, we might want to hurry, that is, if we are going to stop." she said.

"I take that as a yes!" Naruto said stalking off towards the ramen shop. Hinata shrugged and followed.

Not far behind her, Sasuke walked.

It was apparent when Hinata's body tensed up. She felt so awkward walking in front of him. Why was she thinking so silly?

It really looked like he wanted to say something, but like he decided to discard the idea of even noticing she existed. What was his major malfunction?

"SLOWPOKES!!! I could eat a thousand bowls of ramen by the time you two catch up!" Naruto yelled out.

Hinata snapped out of her daydreaming, thinking, WHATEVER you want to call it, and looked at Naruto. "O-okay." she said, "Sorry Naruto-kun." she finished.

"Don't apologize! It was a joke." he said.

The three ate in compatible silence, well, except Naruto, of course, talking even though neither of the people were truly paying attention. Eventually he noticed, in the middle of bad mouthing Sai. "…this is gonna be one long mission." he stated as he finished his third bowl. "Oh well, that's enough. Ready?" he asked with a cheeky grin.

Hinata nodded slightly and grinned back. "Of course." she said.

"Hn." Sasuke replied.

"Then let's go" he said.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

"So then, where exactly do we start?" asked Naruto after he had led his two companions confidently into the woods.

Sasuke sighed. "If you would have listened the first time I told you Naruto, you would have realized that we should be heading East, not west…" he stated blandly.

Hinata looked at Naruto and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, w-we'll eventually find out way out of this." she said.

Sasuke began to lead the group wordlessly. Why did Naruto have to be so much like…like himself? He was completely annoying. The entire time that Sasuke had been walking with Naruto, however, he'd been observing Hinata. Feeble, yes. Quiet, checkmark, shy, yup, everything she was before. Could he pry off that hard shell she wore and bring out the more confident Hinata? This was why people said she'd never make it as a clan leader, and from the look of things, it seemed she could care less if she became one or not. She knew her sister, although she may not want to, would take her place soon if things didn't go in the other direction, and yet, she remained herself. Underneath the underneath, Sasuke found that being this way, and not changing into a more confident Hinata, she showed that she would remain herself despite what her clan thought she should do in order to become the capable leader THEY wanted. He respected that in a sense, like a double sided opinion, he supposed. A genuine girl, that's what she was.

Later on the three stopped to rest. "How long's this mission gonna take again?" asked Naruto.

"There is not time limit on it." Sasuke said. "Find and destroy Kabuto Yakushi, end of story." he stated. "You wouldn't even know how long it would actually take to take down a criminal like him." he said.

"Is he that strong now?" asked Naruto.

"He's always been strong, Naruto. He just knows how to play his lies. He's sick minded, and Orochimaru's been leading him by the nose like a master with a treat for his puppy." he said and grew silent.

"…I'm going to get water." Sasuke stated and stood to walk off. Hinata followed him with her eyes.

Naruto watched him go too. "What an ass…" he said.

Naruto simply couldn't help himself for what he was about to do.

Hinata wasn't really paying too much attention to Naruto until she heard him start snickering mischievously out of the blue. "Hey Hinata." he said as he looked over at her, his face looking like a sly snake up to some mischief.. "You know, I think Sasuke actually LIKES you, and I don't mean just as a friend, either." he said.

Hinata blushed a thousand shades of red. "W-w-what would make you think s-such a thing N-naruto-kun…?" she asked almost incoherently.

"Nothing but the fact that he asked me about you." he said as he turned around as if to end the conversation. "Why, you don't think so?" he asked.

Hinata stared at Naruto in disbelief.

"Do you want to know what he said?" Naruto asked.

"I-I'm sure that you are mistaken…" she said. "I don't b-believe it." she said

"Oh really? I guess you'll never know then." Naruto said turning his back to her. In his head, though, he was counting down from three to one and hit the pin point.

"What did he say!?" Hinata asked finally.

Naruto snickered again.

"Well? I-I don't find this in the l-least bit amusing Naruto-kun!" she said.

"It wasn't really that much, Hinata-san." Sasuke said in his deep voice.

Naruto nearly jumped head first into the bushes. "S-s-sasuke-teme! Don't scare me like that! You…"

"It's your fault in the beginning. You shouldn't be trying to tell things you think you shouldn't be telling." he said.

"What if I do think I should be telling it?" Naruto asked.

"Why did you jump like that?" Sasuke said back.

That shut Naruto up.

Hinata looked at Sasuke, red faced.

He looked back at her, and she could have sworn a small grin played on his face for the smallest instant. "It wasn't much, really. I was curious about you, that's all." he said.

To her, that sounded like a lot. I mean, Uchiha Sasuke, curious about some girl? Some girl like her? That was a lot!

"B-but w-why?" she asked.

"Would you like to come with me? I can explain." he said as he sat a large jug of water down on the ground. "Help yourself. Maybe you'll stop being a scardy-cat." Sasuke said with a light smirk as he walked off with Hinata following behind.

"Why you…" Naruto said darkly. He hadn't changed no matter what people said. He was still the Sasuke Naruto knew.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

Sasuke led Hinata to the small river that he had collected the water from and sat on a large boulder. He gestured beside him for Hinata to have a seat. "To make the whole situation sound less idiotic, I was curious about your clan." he said, making up for Naruto's idiotic-ness.

"W-what do you m-mean Sasuke?" she asked.

"I mean about the next heir, the condition of the clan…" he asked.

So this was all he was wondering about…? If that was all, Hinata knew she had nothing to worry about. "Well, as for the next heir…" she said, she suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable…must have been the topic…"I am suppose to be, but if my father deems it necessary, Hanabi Hyuuga, my sister will take that position." she answered.

"Under what conditions would he deem it necessary to remove you from the position?" he asked.

Why was she telling him all of this? The last thing Hinata expected in her life was to be talking to Sasuke Uchiha about her clan…"…If I do not find a man to marry that the Hyuuga elders…" she cut herself off. "I-I'm sorry…I'm unsure if I should be t-telling you this." she explained.

Sasuke let that almost ghostly grin overtake his face again. "Don't worry. What we say in the forest, stays in the forest. Obviously, there is something else I want to discuss with you, otherwise I wouldn't have said anything at all." he explained.

Hinata nodded. "O-of course." she said. "If I do not find a man to marry that the Hyuuga elders feel can aid me in leading my clan, or I do not join another clan in two years, they will pick the man for me. If I refuse him, then I will be sent to the side branch, where I will be branded with the curse mark and cast aside like dirt." she explained she squeezed her fist into tight balls till her palms turned white.

Sasuke took note of this. "It's okay…now about the condition…" he asked.

"The clan is a bit riled up, especially sine the announcement about me was made. They keep their eyes on me at all times, except on missions like these. " she stated.

Sasuke nodded. "I see." he said.

"So why did you want to know, Sasuke?" she asked.

"Well you may find that out soon enough." he said.

Hinata had a feeling she knew what it was, but God forbid if she was right. She knew she couldn't possibly be. Sasuke wasn't actually thinking about her to use as the person to rebuild the clan, was he??? She may be outspoken, but she knew how to gather hints and form the conclusion.

"We should head back to Naruto. He might drown in the jug of water." Sasuke said, making her snap out of her thoughts.

Hinata giggled a little at Sasuke's attempt at a joke. It was a tiny bit funny, even if it was in a way that could and could not be funny. Knowing Naruto, that could be highly possible.

Hinata followed Sasuke with more confidence and ease. She hoped that she wouldn't act all tense for the rest of the mission.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

Ah….so Sasuke's intentions start to take a more definite form….well, I hope this was a good start for this all to develop. Next chapter, there should be some more…I guess you could say, friendly interactions with Sasuke and Hinata. FRIENDLY being the clue word. I won't be posting any lemons for a bit, and I'll warn you when that happens. So for all you lemon-lovers, be patient. Please review, and I honestly enjoy getting your good feedback and constructive criticism. ! Oh, and one more thing…NO FLAMING!!! I haven't really received any, but before I do, NONE OF THAT!! Don't post anything if you didn't like it, just keep on going. You're wasting your time if you post a review like that for a story you don't like. I mean, it makes no sense… --