Defeaning Silence

Chapter 2: Hide and Seek

Staying in their hideout was not exactly her idea. She insisted to accompany him last night together with Jugo and Suigetsu, but he firmly declined, instructing them to secure the place until he comes back. He claimed that it's a personal task to accomplish and will return the following night. They did not argue when he gave them the killer look so that they will back off.

Karin lays restless in her bed, waiting for Sasuke. It bores her that he's not around, she'll do anything just to be with him. He was like a drug to her, addictive. She can't get enough of him!

When the sun set and she felt his presence near, his aura excited her. However, it surprised her that he's with a female kunoichi. This made her blood boil. Karin wondered who it is, the chakra is somewhat familiar to her. Without calling Jugo and Suigetsu, she got up from her bed and went near the entrance of their headquarters to give Sasuke and his guest a welcome.

~o0o~

Taking the initiative to look for his teammate, Kiba brought Akamaru and Shino to track down Hinata's fading scent. The three attended the funeral earlier to pay their respects to the Hyuuga clan but immediately left to continue their search.

They dashed to the forest under the same sky to find any evidence before the heavy rain wash it all away. They ducked their heads from the extending branches while leaping from one tree to another, pushing themselves forward were Akamaru leads them.

They moved passed a large dense of trees that provided them cover from the heavy rainfall and strong wind. When they finally had to stop near a river, they had to expose themselves to the storm to get closer. The team focused their chakra on their feet and kept themselves grounded. Kiba's eyes narrowed as he used his hands to cover his head from the disturbance and scanned the area where a familiar scent catched the dog-user's attention.

Every step he took brought him closer to Hinata's own trail. He imagined every single detail as he sensed her; what she did, where and how. This is the second night he searched for her and will do anything to find her. He tried not to shudder from the cold breeze that is forcefully pushing them back to the opposite direction from where they were heading. He continued to move forward and realized that Hinata was not alone that night. He had to stop and identify the other scent.

After breathing the air that carried the distinctive scent of at least three persons, he finally concluded, 'They were here'. For once, Kiba wished that he, himself was wrong. The missing nin, the hyuuga prodigy and heiress were there that night.

"Are you sure, Kiba?"

Shino did not doubt Kiba's enhanced skills but is displeased with his teammate's finding. Kiba only gave a nod. He did not try to deny his discovery when Akamaru guided them to a rock where a familiar jacket suspends from the river rapids, almost dragging it away if not for the long piece of branch that clung to it. Her scent is strongly attached to it, providing the evidence that she was indeed there.

The Inuzuka can only think of one person while he hold the drenched clothed that was left behind by his teammate, 'Hinata.' He whispered, clutching the jacket covered with blood stain. He can smell Hiashi and Hanabi's blood in it. He immediately assumed Hinata knew what happened and was there during the incident. Nonetheless, they did not doubt her actions. They believed Hinata is innocent.

"Shino." he breathed heavily, seriously calling his teammate's name who was only standing a few feet away, "Go ahead and report this."

"And you?" Shino asked calmly, trying to understand Kiba's intention.

Closing his eyes, Kiba held Hinata's clothing near his chest and gave an answer, "I have something important to attend to," knowing that this is not enough for Shino to leave, Kiba promised him, "I'll follow you once I'm done."

Finally, Shino agreed and left immediately.

Kiba Inuzuka desired that his affections will reach Hinata Hyuuga, but it never did, neither once when she had that long standing admiration for Uzumaki Naruto nor when her feelings faded away for that same person. The dog-user finds it pointless to confess when she had made up her mind to submit herself without resistance to the Hyuuga elders' wishes as the heiress. She said it was for the clan. He was that simple and clean when it comes to her, if that's what she wants then she should go for it. He wouldn't stop her even though he'd give her warnings regarding the consequence of the decisions that she dare took. From that day on, she tried hard to keep her tears behind a mask that gave out a fake smile. He always thought about her as someone who is strong-willed and determined but it reminded him what Sai once told Sakura, 'A smile can get you out of a tough situation, even if it is fake'.

Now, he wondered how tough it was for Hinata to go through something she didn't really want. Annoyed that Neji did nothing to prevent this from happening, he tried to keep his cool and motioned his loyal companion to prepare.

"Akamaru, let's go."

~o0o~

The Taka leader who wore the Akatsuki cloak, arrived soaking wet due to heavy rain. It was already dark when he came by the entrance when a loud thunder struck emitting light on their way in. He held her body in his arms carefully while she slept soundless. He knew her chakra was too low for her to travel this way. She must have been exhausted these past few days and finally reached her limit last night. He doesn't need to think hard about it because he knew exactly what is going on with her.

Karin emerge from the shadows just a few feet away from them. She looked at him puzzled by what is presented before her. Though she sensed that Sasuke was not alone on his way back, she did not expect this kind of scenario when she welcomes him.

Sasuke held the unconscious girl in his arms, who leaned closely to his chest while her long hair covered her face. Other than that, he is carrying her like a bride. Again, like a bride! That really pissed her off. 'What the hell does he plan to do with her anyway?' this question screams inside her head as her stare started to wonder at the girl who is hidden in her leader's cloak.

He ignored Karin's expression and slowly unwrapped her with the garment he's still wearing, revealing to Karin that this girl was naked all along inside Sasuke's cloak. Now what can upset her more than that. 'WHAT THE FUCK?' Her jaw dropped, fist clutched trying to keep her cool. Sasuke can't help but smirk at her reaction.

He slowly kneeled to lay Hinata's lower body down the ground. He caressed her face once more and brushed her hair with his fingers when she showed a hint of consciousness. The hyuuga heiress slowly opened her eyes, stared at the ceiling and did not move. She really hasn't recovered from the trauma yet. Leaning closer to her ear, he asked an unexpected question, "Daijobu desu ka?"

She turned her head and looked at him in the eye, those eyes that usually scared everyone looked differently at her. She can't help but blush before him. Karin raised an eyebrow, took a step forward and called their attention with her presence, "I don't know the details, but do you have any plans of getting dressed?" She pouts at her, jealous of Sasuke's attention.

Sasuke got up and supported Hinata to stand in her own feet. In just a second, she felt his cloak on her body when he took it off to cover her. She lowered her head and thanked him. Sasuke did not bother to respond.

"Karin." He called his subordinate's attention shifting his gaze from Hinata to her, "Get her something to wear and accompany her to my room."

"Hai, I''ll accompany her to yo..." To his what? Appalled by what she heard, she tried to change the location, "her room..."

"Karin." He called her name again and gave a quick scowl. In the tone of his voice, there's a hint of annoyance. She knew repeating what he said is unnecessary. She heard him right even though she rejects the idea. Finally, she gave in and followed his order.

"...to your room then."