BK: I'm so sorry if the story is slow. It needs... nurturing. Ahaha... but fear not. It is already finished.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
BK
It was definitely a surprise when she had taken him out. She thought he was a trespasser on Konoha territory. He wore a long overcoat and moved surprisingly fast in the northern woods of Konoha. The only people who came from the north mountains were either assassins or missing ninjas. She could feel that he was someone formidable and so she summoned a little mockingbird using her blood to tell the other scouts. Her summons that she received when she once was Itachi's partner.
Then to stop him from going any further, she engaged him. But just as soon as she did, Naruto appeared and behind him, Sai, Sakura, and Yamato. She touched her face on reflex to see if she had wore her ANBU mask.
And when she felt the touch of the cold mask that resembled a bird, she launched into the air and landed with her feet hitting dead onto Sasuke's back. She hadn't known it was Sasuke back then. She just assumed he was an assassin since the Akatsuki had dispersed and the demons were left untouched and returned to their vessels.
She hadn't expected Naruto turning up either as he was still in training to be Hokage. But when she heard the rushing wind around her and the scream of that familiar voice that changed her soul, she flipped away and landed far from the scene. Naruto had struck Sasuke with his new technique, a technique that if Hinata didn't use chakra to stay on the floor, she would have blown away from its sheer force.
The other scouts had arrived by now and in their midst, Danzo.
Danzo left no time to spare as he signaled others to take Sasuke and he went to deal with a very angry Naruto. He spared her a look and nodded, she bowed her head but questioned him. Why did he come?
Bk
Maybe it was stupid of him to go through Konoha. Because they definitely expected him and now he was bedridden.
It was already a few days and he could feel his power coming back. He sat up in the bed and looked at his surroundings. White walls in all four directions. An opened window with white curtains flowing in the wind. A door behind him, closed and with a little long vertical window. The only color visible in the room was the yellow flower in the vase, clearly changed each day.
What was he going to do? He hadn't planned on this. He planned to find his brother and enact revenge. He knew that Itachi was just south of Konoha, so he thought to take the chance and go through Konoha to find him. But on the way, they caught him. He was pissed all right. And useless.
"It takes too much energy to be mad Sasuke."
He turned around. The voice that was emitted turned out to be none other than his old teacher Kakashi. He frowned at the smiling ninja and glared.
"What do you want?" Sasuke said offhandedly.
"I can't come to see an old student of mine?"
Sasuke scoffed at him. Old? Kakashi was barely five years older than him. They were practically the same age.
"Come to reprimand me? Or to ask me questions?"
Kakashi shook his head. He sat on the chair that the girl yesterday sat in.
"Nope. Just here to talk."
Sasuke's eyebrows knitted together. Just talk?
"Where's that girl?" Sasuke asked.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"First time back and you're already asking about a girl? Sasuke, I thought you would have matured by now. You know... stronger, angrier and self righteous."
He didn't want to deal with him right now. If Kakashi wanted to say something, Sasuke knew it would take long... long and that it would be indirect. So Sasuke shot him another glare and just mumbled his usual "Hn."
"Well, if you're asking about Hinata, your caretaker," there was a long pause before he continued, "I'm in her place today because I have to take you to the hearing."
Sasuke was confused. Hearing? In court? He could barely move!
"Fuck that. I'm not going."
Kakashi smiled and then shrugged, pulling out to read his perverted orange book.
"Then I guess I'll just have to forcefully take you then." Kakashi settled and sat there on the chair reading that damn perverted orange book.
BK
It was years now since she had stepped back into that classroom where she watched over Naruto and Sasuke grow up. She wondered where Itachi had gone. He was still alive after that fateful day where he killed his entire clan and left only his beloved little brother. She sat far up in the same old seat she used to sit in just years ago.
She had seen Naruto grown stronger, changing people to love themselves and inspire them to move forward. And with curiosity, she started to love him because he was someone who everyone hated yet he fought and won.
But it was always Sasuke that stole her thoughts. He was so unlike Itachi. Quiet and serious. Wanting to improve himself and grow stronger. During the Chunnin exams she had failed every fight on purpose, enduring the hits and pain in fear that she may kill someone. She wished that Itachi were there to support her when she fell but he had already left. In his place she would glance at Sasuke who blandly ignored her and Naruto who changed her world and encouraged her.
Then things began to spiral. The sand siblings came into Konoha. Sound ninjas participated in suspicious activities. People dying. And then Orichimaru had Sasuke and Naruto ran after them.
She could have stopped Sasuke the day he left. Danzo had said that if killing him was what it took, then she had full freedom to do so. But she couldn't. He was Itachi's little brother. When she could have stopped Itachi and save him, she didn't. So when Sasuke had knocked Sakura out and battled Naruto until Naruto gave out, she appeared before him in the forest where he headed for the Sound.
He had looked up at her warily and with suspicion. She wore no mask. No ANBU clothing. Nothing but her regular ninja clothing.
"I won't come back. I'll kill you if you stop me."
Hinata had stood there quietly and then laughed pathetically before she responded.
"Itachi... I couldn't even save him. And what you seek is power. No one can stop someone who thirsts for power. Itachi wanted peace and I couldn't stop him, but if what you want is power, how can I even stop you?"
Sasuke's eyes had widen at her. This was probably the first time they had ever spoken to each other.
"How do you know about Itachi?!"
Instead of answering, Hinata looked clearly at Sasuke. He was the splitting image of Itachi. Dark hair that blended into the night and a fire that glowed in his eyes. Determination towards a goal. Faithfulness in the path he took. No regrets whatsoever in his hands. His face was just as pale as Itachi's and the same arches that adorned Itachi's face were present in Sasuke's. But they shared different dreams.
"The Sound is over there. Don't regret anything Sasuke. Your brother wouldn't have."
He looked in the direction she pointed in. Then spoke in a tired voice to her that was still full of conviction.
"Shut up. I don't need your help."
Hinata laughed weakly. That sounded just like her whenever Itachi helped her. She tried to capture the image of Sasuke in her mind before she fled to the trees back to Konoha.
Bk
Hinata absentmindedly touched the scar on her collar bone. She had received punishment for letting him go that day. Danzo was brutal and even though the other ANBUs understood why she let him go, it was no excuse to go against orders. Lots of little scars littered her body, not just this tiny one. Somehow, it was always Hinata who went against orders. Not to kill the whole family, not to kill the children, let go of the grandmother, not to kill the summoning beast, she had probably the most scars than anyone in the whole ANBU. Yet, Danzo kept her there in his care and did not let her go. She was used to the pain by now. All those scars held a memory of what she believed was something she did correctly.
But now, Sasuke was back by sheer force. Naruto had beaten him down after he killed Orichimaru. At first, Hinata thought the chakra was Itachi. She ran straight to the entrance of Konoha only to see an intruder that turned out to be Sasuke and had knocked him out.
She was the appointed caretaker of Sasuke now. Danzo delegated it against all who protested. He said that she could change him since she couldn't get romantically involved with him, or anyone for that matter, and that she was calm and collected to start with. Hinata knew that he was referring to the Hinata that was not ANBU. The Hinata that was ANBU sometimes shook mad in laughter after killing someone or either shook in terror as she killed children. She was the one ANBU that could not shield her real emotions.
There was a little moan of pain from where Sasuke slept in the hospital bed. Hinata jolted up in surprise and turned to look at Sasuke. He was waking up. She made sure to put on her gloves before she leaned over to adjust him.
"Don't come any closer. I'll kill you."
Sasuke had spoken, his voice was hoarse and weak, but she stilled anyways.
"You're awake," she whispered softly.
His hands shot out to grab hold of her and surprised by the speed, she was suddenly enveloped by him.
"What are you doing?" He whispered back into her ear.
"I was...watching," Hinata said, feeling her hair slide off her shoulder and caressing his cheek.
His eyebrows furrowed and he pushed her off. He noticed the chakra restraints on his ankle and the clothes he was wearing. He nearly shouted at her if it weren't for his condition.
"Where is Naruto?!"
She stuttered.
"I-I don't know."
"Don't lie to me! You know where he is! Why did he bring me here?! Why is everyone in this god forsaken land trying to stop me?!"
He charged at her, the restraints holding him down, and she immediately dodged the hands that came to her. She whipped around and nailed him down. He was weak and had no chakra to use. Ultimately, he gave up.
"You bitch, you're lucky today."
She winced at his words. They were harsh. And very direct.
"I'm sorry Sasuke-kun. But this is an assault. I have to stop you."
"You're a fool among fools. An emotionless tool that is used by Konoha. Don't you want some freedom? To choose for yourself?"
Hinata turned and sat on him. He sure knew how to hit the spot and so quickly. All those years away in a land where he had to fend for himself, he certainly knew how to manipulate others. But those words no longer touched her. She was a tool. One that tried to hide all her emotions. And because she trusted others to use her in order to protect them. However, Sasuke's strength certainly came back after all that screaming.
"Maybe I'm ignorant. And what about you?" Hinata questioned, "Did you run away to escape?"
He tried to lift himself up from underneath her and she was surprised that he was too weak even to lift her up even though he was shouting. But he remained silent for a while before he spoke.
"Aren't you that weak little girl? Hyugga something?"
Hinata just spoke calmly back. She noticed he had changed the topic.
"I suppose you can say that."
"Then what the hell are you doing here with me? I thought Kakashi was going to take me?"
Hinata tilted her head. Kakashi was here? She decided not to say anything, but she did make a mental note to talk to Kakashi and Danzo about Sasuke's situation. If Kakashi were to take care of Sasuke, she thought it would be better than if it were her.
"I'm your caretaker from here on out. Kakashi forgot to mention the date. The hearing in court is next week. "
She could hear the silent bang as his head hit the floor they were on and the moan of frustration. And then silenced entered the room and before long, Hinata could hear the rhythmic breathing of a sleeping Uchiha.
BK
BK: Hinata's a weird ANBU huh? And why keep her still? Tsk tsk tsk, what's on your mind Danzo? So until next time. Adieu.
