Branded
Chapter 2
Tsunade exhaled a deep breath, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she stared at the two former teammates of her deceased Sensei. They were practically dancing with glee around her office knowing the former Avenger had agreed to become a Konoha Shinobi once again.
" Have you decided who would be his teammates for the four man unit?" Koharu questioned, eyes bright with curiosity. Tsunade rolled her cool amber eyes skyward, praying silently to the gods above.
" Yes. I've given it much thought. I would like to reunite Uchiha with two of his former teammates and a new addition," Tsunade answered, watching the two council members stop to glance at her.
" You summoned me Lady Hokage?" the quiet voice of Hyuuga Hinata drifted through the quiet office, drawing Tsunade from her musings. She glanced at the door, seeing Hinata waiting for any acknowledgement.
" Yes Hinata, I did. I wanted to speak to you privately before I made the announcement. I would like for Uchiha Sasuke to stay at your apartment. I decided his new team would consist of Naruto, Sakura, and yourself. However as I stated before, I would like for him to be under constant watch. The best choice for that matter would be you rather than Naruto or Sakura for obvious reasons," Tsunade explained her reasoning, watching as the Hyuuga girl listened intently for a moment before she nodded her head.
" I understand Lady Hokage. I have a spare room, and my apartment is large," she agreed, watching the small smile on Tsunade's lips.
" Good. Would you mind fetching your three teammates. I am assigning you today, I want them to become used to your presences. You will receive a mission once they arrive," she answered, watching Hinata nod once before she left the office. Tsunade sat back in her large chair, glancing out the large window to the crystal clear sky.
" Ah, Jiraiya, do you think I've made the right choice by offering the Uchiha a second chance?" she questioned quietly, knowing her former teammate wouldn't be able to answer her. She shook her blonde pigtails before turning her attention to the mission request on her desk.
" At least I'll be able to torture him," she spoke quietly, her voice a whisper as a smirk played on her lips.
Hinata moved quickly through the village, yet she appeared lazy at the same moment as she searched for the three teammates. She knew Sakura would most likely be at the Hospital, and Naruto at Ichiraku. However Sasuke was another story. Before a few days ago they had never spoken to each other, barely acknowledged the other existed. She wasn't aware of where he would be. She exhaled a quiet sigh as she found Naruto, Sasuke surprisingly sitting beside him at the Ichiraku stall.
" Ah, Naruto, Uchiha, Lady Hokage has requested your presences in her office," Hinata spoke, watching as both males glanced up. Sasuke held mild surprise at the fact that the young Hyuuga girl didn't stutter nor blush once when she spoke to Naruto. He quirked an eyebrow in confusion at this knowledge before he easily slid from his stool, pulling Naruto from his finished bowel of ramen.
" You won't get anymore out Dobe, let's go see what the hag wants," Sasuke muttered, shaking his head. Hinata was already gone, leaving the two males in silence as they picked their way towards the Hokage Tower.
" I wonder what Granny Tsunade wants?" Naruto commented, rubbing the back of his head as he followed behind Sasuke. The brooding Uchiha merely shrugged his shoulders, uncaring of what the woman had to say.
Sasuke slid his hands into the pockets of the black cargo jeans he wore, allowing him easy movement as he lazily walked through the village with his blonde haired companion. A simple white shirt fit snuggly on his torso, the emblem of the Uchiha Clan stitched on his back. His onyx strands were a wild disarray, his storm colored eyes held no emotion. His alabaster skin was stretched taut over well defined muscles, his high cheekbones were narrowed and defined, aristocratic by definition.
" Oi, Sakura!" Naruto called out, catching the rosette haired Kunoichi's attention. Her jade green eyes told of her exhaustion as she met storm and cerulean colored eyes. She smiled a paper thin smile at her former teammates, pausing her steps as she waited for them to fall into step beside her.
" I take it Lady Tsunade summoned you two as well?" Sakura questioned, her head twisted to watch their profiles.
" Yeah, you wouldn't happen to know why would you?" the blonde hyperactive ninja questioned his former teammate, the pupil of their Hokage. Sakura could only shake her short, shoulder length pink strands.
" I honestly have no idea. I am suppose to be doing rounds at the hospital, but Hinata found me and informed that Lady Tsunade wanted to speak with me. We most likely have a mission," Sakura answered as they steadily climbed the long winding staircase that would take them to the Hokage's large circular office. Sasuke remained quiet through out the entire exchange, refusing to acknowledge his former teammates' assumptions. He stood in front of the heavy oak doors that would open into the Hokage's office, waiting for the other two shinobi to catch up to him. Naruto was the one who pushed the heavy oaken doors open, not bothering with the formality of knocking. The large ornate doors swung open, revealing the former Hyuuga Heiress as well as the Lady Hokage and a foreigner none recognized.
Sakura was the one that spoke, leading her former teammates into the large space the wide office offered.
" You wanted to see us, Lady Tsunade?" Sakura spoke casually, her arms resting at her sides as Sasuke moved to stand in the corner of her office, ignoring the other occupants. Naruto stood closer to Sakura, cautious of what the elder woman was about to say.
" A four man cell? Lady Tsunade, I assure that is not necessary. Hyuuga Hinata is more than capable of escorting me back to Suna. My husband informed me it wouldn't be a large affair," the foreigner spoke, her petal pink irises darting from the three unfamiliar shinobi to the busty blonde woman who appeared to be in her late twenties.
" I understand you and your husband don't wish for a large escort, that is why I am assigning a four man cell. You hold a high rank Ayane. I don't believe the Kazekage is above waging war if I returned you in less than perfect condition," Tsunade answered, her tone holding no room for argument.
The purple haired kunoichi exhaled a sigh of frustration, crossing her arms over her chest. She had honestly only expected to be assigned one shinobi, maybe two. She was a capable Kunoichi who could defend herself. She didn't need a four man cell to baby sitter her until she was returned safely to her husband. Tsunade shook her head, tired of arguing with the stubborn woman. She focused her cool gaze on the former members of team seven before she spoke again, gathering her thoughts.
" There is another reason I summoned you three. Sasuke has agreed to the terms the council set. This has forced my hand in assigning him to a squad. I thought who would be better suited than his former teammates. So I have decided to reunite the former Team Seven with a slight exception. Instead of having Hatake Kakashi as your team captain, I am assigning Hinata. Uchiha, you will not make a move unless she is informed. I am assigning you to this mission as a probationary trial. If Hinata informs me that you can not play fairly with others, I will make sure you spend the rest of your miserable life in the Konoha Prison. Now, Lady Ayane wishes to leave as soon as possible. I am allotting you each an hour to gather the necessary supplies before you depart from the western gates," her tone was final and left no room for argument. With that the five guests left, leaving the Hokage alone to her paper work.
Hinata moved ahead of the group, beside Ayane instantly as they entered the busy streets of Konoha.
" I'll escort you to your hotel, Lady Ayane," Hinata spoke in her soft voice, causing Ayane to glance at the young woman. She exhaled a sigh, a small smile curving her lips.
" I really don't have much of a choice in the matter do I? At least your company is tolerable. I've been meaning to speak with you anyways," Ayane spoke, her tone lazy as she languidly moved through the crowded market place. Hinata glanced at her curiously, her head cocked in a show that she was listening.
" Gaara spoke often of Uchiha Sasuke. He was a man many powerful Shinobi feared, they still fear. Is it a wise choice for him to come to Suna?" Ayane questioned, carefully phrasing the words as she looked away from her husband's long time friend, her close friend. Hinata offered the purple haired kunoichi a small smile as she sought the words to ease her friend's mind.
" It is true that Uchiha Sasuke is a very violent man. It is true that he can be unpredictable at times. However, I also believe it is possible for people to change, be it for the better or for the worst. Gaara, for instance, was once a blood thirsty, murderous man. Than he found a purpose in his life, found something to protect with his very life, his village. And as time went on, as he grew older, wiser, he was forced into an arranged marriage with you. Both of you were bitter, hated each other. Yet here you are, madly in love. You have come to rely on each other as an anchor, as someone solid to hold onto in this twisted reality we are forced to face. Uchiha may not be the best person, however do not doubt his abilities as a capable Shinobi. I've seen first hand exactly what he is capable of," Hinata spoke, her voice quiet as she met her friend's petal pink irises. Aynae nodded, accepting Hinata's words as they continued their path to her hotel.
" At least there will be one familiar face on this long journey to Suna. You should go prepare. You still need to pack, and here I am hogging all of your time," Ayane dismissed the slender girl with a flick of her wrist, watching as the young woman nodded before she disappeared, leaving the Kazekage's wife at the entrance to the Hotel she was staying at. She offered a small smile, a slight curve of her lips, as she watched her friend's retreating back before entering the hotel to gather her belongings. It was going to be a long trip to Suna.
Hinata exhaled a breath as she checked her kunai over once more before she decided everything was in perfect order. She easily slid the satchel over her shoulder, running her fingers through her hair out of habit, tousling the indigo colored strands. The mission would take five days, only because they would be treating Ayane as a high ranking client, which of course she would despise. However it was what needed to be done. Slowly she glanced towards her neatly made mattress, a ghost of a smile spreading on her rosy lips at the sight of her Anbu tiger mask. She had worked extremely hard to achieve her rank, yet here she was, captain of Squad Seven because she couldn't refuse her Hokage. She shook her head as she left her bedroom, pulling the ivory colored door shut behind her. She wouldn't see her apartment for a week, and when she did, a new body would be inhabiting the space, sharing this apartment with the stoic Uchiha.
She moved gracefully through the halls, checking every window and flicking every switch. Finally she reached the front door, slowly pushing it open before stepping over the threshold into the silent corridor of the top floor. She pulled the heavy metal enforced door shut behind her, turning her lock in the deadbolt until she heard the tumblers slide into place. Once she was finished she left her apartment building, bounding from one roof top to another until she was standing in front of Ayane's hotel once more, lounging lazily against the wall beside the double glass doors.
" Can you believe it? Uchiha Sasuke is back, the Uchiha Sasuke," a high pitched squeal drew Hinata from her thoughts, causing her to wince slightly at the loud noise.
" I know. I heard he was reinstated as a shinobi and assigned to his childhood team," another girl commented, causing Hinata to roll her lavender colored eyes skyward.
The insistent buzzing in her ears refused to leave as she rolled her head backwards, allowing it to kiss the wooden structure she was using for support.
" Hinata, are you ready to leave?" Ayane's amused voice drifted to her ears, causing her to open one eye before she replied.
" I suppose so, Ayane. What about you?" at her inquiry, Ayane nodded her head, moving to lead the way through the busy streets of Konoha until they reached their departure destination.
" Do you trust the Uchiha?" Ayane questioned, her tone light and lazy as she watched her toes with a growing interest. Hinata's brows knitted together in thought as she processed her friend's odd question.
" As a comrade, I trust in Uchiha's abilities on the field. However as a mere acquaintance of the man, I wouldn't trust him out side of combat. He wasn't a friend of mine, he never truly liked me. However, I do not believe that he is so heartless that he would let a comrade die," Hinata answered easily, watching Ayane pick at the barren thread of her travel kimono.
Hinata watched as her friend processed the information before she glanced up noticing the three members of her unit were slowly approaching. Hinata shrugged away from the beam she was resting against, shifting the satchel that rested on her exposed shoulder. Her clothes remained the same as when Sasuke first saw her, casual, yet classy. It was hard for him to explain how her tired, just rolled out of bed look could be classy, yet she certainly made it possible. Hinata led the group through the forest, remaining on the ground for Ayane.
" Why do we have to travel at such a sluggish pace? We could easily reach the boarder by nightfall, and be in Suna by late tomorrow afternoon," Sakura spoke, her voice irking three of her travel companions. It was Hinata who spoke up, her quiet voice holding a soothing sense of calm as she defended her friend. " Ayane did not pack proper clothes to truly run in, Sakura. Lord Kazekage didn't want his wife to strain herself traveling back to her home," Hinata commented, not bothering to glance at her teammate.
Sakura remained quiet, however she did cross her arms over her chest in petulance. Ayane smirked, moving to stand beside Hinata, observing the girl as she acted as a true leader should.
" I don't see why you don't just transfer to Suna. Gaara could use a kunoichi like you. Your jutsu knowledge, your medical skills, your blood line limit, you would be a force to be reckoned, especially being a favorite to the scary Fifth Kazekage," Ayane spoke lightly, her words were only half teasing.
" If I were to leave Konoha, Ayane, my blood line limit would be sealed, permanently. Even as a disgrace, an ex-heiress, my Byakugan is still one of the strongest. Besides all of that, I refuse to be acknowledged as anyone's pet," Hinata hissed the last word with a venom that no one knew she was capable of.
Ayane nodded in understanding as she fell silent beside her long time friend. She smiled gently at the memories they shared, the first time she met the once shy girl. Both girls had been sixteen. Hinata was sent to Suna acting on Tsunade's behalf. She was there to discuss politics with Gaara, the fifth Kazekage and her future husband. Ayane had been bitter about the arrangement. She was a kunoichi, even if she was the daughter to the Daimyo of the land of Wind. She had hated Gaara in the beginning, only seeing him as how he once was, truly a monster. Yet it was gentle Hinata who had shown her the different side to the Kazekage, the person he had become instead of the monster he once was.
" I understand Hinata, it was merely a suggestion," Ayane commented, tensing slightly at the change in pressure of the surrounding the clearing.
In an instant Hinata had activated her Byakugan while Sasuke did the same with is Sharigan. Ayane moved closer to stand behind Hinata, noting the other two members of the escort were oblivious of the pressure drop. Sasuke's cold hand wrapped around Ayane's bicep pulling her behind him as a set of five kunai landed where she was standing moments ago. She released a gasp, stumbling back slightly before looking up once again. She watched as Sasuke stood protectively in front of her, every muscle in his body tense as he waited for another assault. Peeking over his broad shoulder she saw Hinata had fallen into the stance she was taught since she could walk. Her hands were glowing with blue chakra, the veins from her eyes were throbbing with concentration, and she stood motionless, statue still as her eyes darted, quickly searching for the assailants. Naruto and Sakura, finally noticed that they had stopped walking, moved quickly to help Sasuke protect the Kazekage's wife.
" Ain't this cute. Four little leaf ninjas protecting one purple haired whore," a gruff voice taunted from the tree tops. A smirk graced Hinata's lips, the corner of her mouth quirking upwards on one side.
" Found you. You can either come down here and fight like a man, or my friend with the dark hair can drag you from those high branches. That option will lead to a lot of broken bones, he isn't the most gentle type," Hinata commented coolly. Sasuke smirked at the young woman's choice of words. Before he could truly decide, Hinata nodded her slightly, a small inclination that no one but Sasuke truly notice. In a moment he was gone, as if he had vanished into thin air, only to appear a yard before Hinata, sheathing his katana as a large man fell from the high tree tops.
" You should have listened," was all Sasuke said, his crimson eyes narrowed in a glare as he watched the man shake, fear escaping every pore on his body. His black, beady eyes darted from the Hyuuga to the Uchiha, frightened by what the two shinobi with strange eyes could truly do to him.
" I suppose you could trap him in a genjutsu. However, I think it is only fair that I operate on him, since he seemed so inclined on operating on Lady Ayane," Hinata spoke calmly, taking a step towards the cowering man. His eyes widened as he tried to scramble away from the furious looking woman.
" P-p-please don't hurt me," the man begged, his entire body shaking.
" Why shouldn't we? You nearly killed the Lord Kazekage's wife. I can assure you, he wouldn't be as forgiving as us," Sasuke finally spoke up, his voice as cold as an arctic wind.
With movement to quick for anyone but Sasuke to follow, Hinata had the rogue ninja pressed against the thick trunk of a tree, her forearm pressing harshly against his Adam's apple.
" I'll strike a deal. You run back to your client and inform him, the next assassination attempt won't be so lucky. I do not look kindly on people who are purposely attempting to kill my close friends, and Lady Ayane is a very precious person to me. Do you understand?" Hinata questioned, her naturally quiet voice was barely above a whisper, the threat evident in her words. With that she released him, watching as he left before she pivoted on her heel, continuing on her path towards the boarder of the land of Wind. Sasuke smirked at the young woman's attitude, truly impressed by the change the once shy Hyuuga had undergone.
