Mending Broken Wings

Standard disclaimers apply…

Chapter Two : A Year Later

Time really flies fast. No one in this world could actually feel that time slips from his hands. And no one has the power to control it or even go against it.

It was really unbelievable how fast everything went. And it was also somehow unbelievable that a year has passed since the village, and the Hyuuga clan lost Hinata. Perhaps most of the villagers did not notice her absence. However, her team did not fail to remember that today was the very same day they lost her.

"Kiba, say something," Kurenai, their teacher, said. It was more of a command than a request. Though Shino and Kiba were already chuunins, Kurenai still guided them in their missions and stayed with them during her free time. Not that her students still need her in doing their missions.

Kiba, who was not in the mood to say anything, sipped some of the contents of his soda and shrugged. "Something."

"Hmpf," Shino muttered as he stared at the can of soda in his hands. "Funny."

An awkward silence enveloped them once again. Last year, they remembered, when Hinata was still alive, they only have this kind of silence when they were in battle or when they were sleeping. Though Hinata did not contribute much of the noise they had those days, it still seemed like everything was too silent without her. Or perhaps, everything was not and will never be the same without her.

Kiba took another sip of his soda. "I wonder how things would be like if she's still with us." Having completely consumed his soda, he crashed the can in his hands and threw it in the plastic bag which serves as their garbage bag.

"Then everything will still be the same," Kurenai answered and threw her unfinished drink in the same plastic bag. "We will still have the person who prepares our meals when we have missions. Who brings our first aid kit. And who smiles at us during rough times and says that everything's gonna be alright." She said those words with too much emotion that she did not notice the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. She looked up in the skies and smiled at herself. "I guess Hinata-chan would not want to see us in a state like this."

Shino threw his untouched soda in their garbage bag. He doesn't have the heart to drink or eat anything if they were talking about the death of the only girl in their team. "Let's just move on without her."

Kiba lied down in the grass and looked up at the clouds. The skies of Konoha were still the same. It does not mourn with them. It still looked like the ordinary and usual sky of the village. It did not change though today was the death anniversary of one of the most special persons in their lives. It seemed as though it was telling them that the world would go on without Hinata. He badly wanted to curse the skies for mocking him.

"We have to start moving on with our lives today, aren't we?" Kurenai stood up from the ground and raised her arms in the air. She breathed a lungful of air before placing her hands on her waist. Glancing at each of the persons she was with, she noticed that nobody seemed to have heard what she said. "Come on everyone! You don't want to cry like this forever, don't you?"

Shino stood up and picked their garbage bag up. They couldn't just leave their trash there. Tsunade implemented a rule which has something to do with proper disposal of wastes. Besides, as ninjas, they should serve as good examples for the villagers. "Let's go."

Kiba mimicked his teammates and Akamaru followed suit. We'll try to move on, Hinata. But I can't promise you that we'll be able to do it.

Without further ado, they all left the cliff side and went to the market square.

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Everyone in the market square seemed to do their usual thing. The Ichiraku Ramen Bar was still filled with customers. Thus, the owners of the shop, together with his assistants, were busy cooking and serving their customers. The fruit, meat, and vegetable dealers could be heard shouting here and there, trying their best to grab the attention of buyers and bystanders. The bookstore, as usual, is empty. Only the owner and approximately three customers could be seen inside it. This was a proof that most of the residents of the village were not interested on books and other reading materials.

Everyone in Konoha lives normally. Only them, Kiba thought, lives their lives miserably because of Hinata's death.

Kiba cursed under his breath as the most painful conclusion crossed his mind. Why can't any of these villagers notice that today is Hinata's death anniversary? Didn't almost all of them attended her funeral? Why do they act like nothing has happened? Like she's still here and living with them? Why can't they show some trace of loneliness? He wanted to crush every single tore in the market. He wanted to yell at everyone and tell them that they don't have the right to go on with their lives. He wanted to but he guessed that it would be the most stupid thing he could do in his entire life. He would be surely punished by the Godaime if he will do those things.

Kurenai, seeing Kiba's uneasiness, merely smiled at him and tapped his shoulder as if saying that the villagers should set a good example on him –they do their thing even without Hinata and they were capable of doing it well.

"Want some ramen?" she asked the two chuunins. She only got an absurd silence in reply. "Okay. If you're not in the mood to eat Naruto's favorite, then fine."

"Kurenai!"

The three looked at the direction from where the voice came from and saw the jounin who always has a cigarette on his mouth.

"Sake, anyone?" It was Asuma. He was holding four large bottles of rice wine. "My team doesn't want to drink these with me."

Though it was not the perfect time to celebrate, they figured out that perhaps this will be their first step to move on.

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Sasuke sauntered at the now deserted streets of Konoha. It was already ten o'clock in the evening. And during this time, almost every stall and shop in the market square were closed. The streets were so quiet, save for the rustling of leaves when the cold breeze blows. A perfect time for him to have a walk.

Sasuke, being the cold hearted shinobi that he was, never learned to like the noisiness of the market ever since he lost his family. He found every lively voice of the vendors annoying. Or maybe he found everything in this world irritating since the night his whole clan vanished. It was like this time that he enjoyed walking in the grounds of Konoha. No noisy vendors. No irritating fan girls. And most specially, no Narutard and no stupid Sakura.

Probably it was his love for silence and solitude that made him dislike every moment he was with his team. Naruto being the loud mouthed dobe and Sakura being one of his bothersome fan girls. The only thing that made him excited about every meeting with his team was Kakashi. He knew he was lucky to have him as their teacher. Sasuke considered Kakashi as the strongest and most skillful jounin of Konohagakure. And he knew that the jounin had gone through with things which were almost like what he had experienced in his brother's hands. Besides, Kakashi, of all people, could help him avenge his family by teaching him all of the skills which could be of use to him once the time comes…

Amidst the piercing silence of the night, a shout from a sake shop was heard. Sasuke glanced inside the shop to see who disturbed him from his thoughts.

It was the manager of the shop. He was an old man whom Sasuke estimated to be in his late forties. The man was fat. Sasuke already sees the man's large bundle of fats (if it was possible) under his apron. He was shaking four people whom Sasuke recognized instantly.

What in hell are they doing there?

Kurenai, Asuma, Kiba, and Shino were sleeping soundly inside the shop. Their heads were on the wooden table.

Eeew… Sasuke saw the glistening saliva flowing from Kiba and Asuma's mouths. And it only made him feel… disgusted.

Shrugging off the said feeling, Sasuke continued his walk. He then decided to go to the place which would give him peace and silence. And there is only one place in Konoha which he was sure to have these qualities… The lake.

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As Sasuke's lower limbs reached his destination, he quietly sighed and allowed his dark orbs to roam around the place. Just in case something or someone dangerous is around (like his fan girls and that snake sannin). A good ninja should be ready at all times. Though the place was known to him as the most peaceful part of the village, he should always see to it that nothing will come to attack him.

Sensing another person's presence, he quickly activated his sharingan and located for the other source of chakra. He saw an outline of blue chakra just a few yards away. Slowly and quietly, he passed through the trees and bushes. Seeing his target, he immediately deactivated his sharingan.

He saw a girl who was apparently sleeping under the shades of a nearby tree. What could a girl be doing at this place in this very hour? Her back was resting on the trunk for support. She had a long ponytailed indigo hair. She also had a smooth pale skin which glowed under the heavy moonlight. The girl was wearing a long-sleeved lavender top. Though she was wearing a skirt which covered only one-fourth of her legs, a pair of black leggings covered the rest of 'the things which needs to be covered'. Meaning, the leggings reached below her knees. Though her leggings were capable of covering her skin, it was incapable of hiding the shape of her legs since they were way too tight.

As the breeze blew, her bangs fell gracefully on her face which made Sasuke stare at her even more. The way she looked was totally mesmerizing… She was like a sleeping angel who lost her way to heaven.

As he approached her, he noticed that the girl was shivering. And as he drew closer, he recognized her as the Hyuuga girl who was kidnapped and eventually died a year ago.

This… can't be… happening…

Sasuke kneeled on one of his legs in front of her. He reached out his hand and gently lifted her chin as if to assure that he was not seeing things… That she wasn't just a dream…

As he looked unto her angelic face, he felt sure that she was real and that she was really there with him.

Slowly, she opened her pearly white eyes which glowed beautifully as it reflected the moonlight. It only made Sasuke's jaw drop. She was more beautiful when her eyes were open.

She blinked a few times as if asking Sasuke who he was and what he was doing there.

Sasuke, who was apparently mesmerized, did not notice this and continued to stare at her features. Hyuuga Hinata. He knew her since he was young but it was only now that he noticed how beautiful and breath taking her beauty was. Maybe it was due to her shyness and her attitude to always look down that made him miss the fact that she was good looking. Or maybe it was because of his overflowing hunger for power that made him miss the said fact.

A soft palm touched the back of his hand which was currently on her chin. For several minutes, they stayed in a state like that. Her giving him a questioning look and him staring awkwardly at her.

"Y-y-you…" Hearing her voice, he snapped back to reality.

Sasuke hastily removed his hand from her chin. He then shifted to his cold and distant self. "Hyuuga," he said her surname with distaste as though what he felt a while ago was something detestable. "If you don't want to freeze here, follow me."

She blinked a few times. She just sat there and watched him took a few steps away. "Anou…"

"I said, if you want to stay alive, follow me." With that, he continued his pace.

She completely understood what he had said earlier. What she wanted to ask him was who he was and why does he really want her to follow him. Other men may just leave her freezing in the chilly breeze. "Anou…"

Maybe all of the residents of this village are hospitable?

This was annoying. Her constant speaking of 'anou' got into his nerves. Perfectly.

He turned on his heel and irritably asked her, "What in hell are you waiting for?"

She reluctantly stood up and followed him. As she walked behind him, she heard him curse silently. Kami, she knew that she would be in so much trouble if she would stay with this man. If only she could run away, then she would gladly do that. But then, if she would, she will not only freeze but also be punished by them…

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"I'm sorry but you are not allowed to see her now!"

"Get out of my way."

"She's already sleeping! Disturbing her will only-!"

"Get out."

The door which leads to the Godaime's office was slammed open, finally waking the Hokage from her deep slumber. Tsunade idly rubbed her eyes. Who in hell has the nerves to disturb her sleep?

Three shadowy figures stood in the entrance. She recognized one of the shadows as Shizune.

Shizune was trying to stop another shadow from entering the Godaime's office.

"Didn't I tell you to make sure no one will disturb me?" Tsunade yelled angrily, her golden orbs glaring at her assistant though no one could see it due too total darkness.

"I'm sorry Hokage-sama," Shizune bowed. "I tried to stop them but Sasuke-."

"So it's Uchiha, huh," Tsunade motioned her assistant to turn the lights on. "What is it that you want from me?" she asked the sole owner if sharingan in the village.

"This," mentioned the Uchiha.

As the lights turned on, realization hit Tsunade. Her eyes widened in shock and her lips trembled. It can't be… "Y-you…" she stuttered as she slowly stood up from her chair. "W-why… You… H-Hinata…"

Hinata looked at the woman who had just mentioned her name and gave her the look she had just given Sasuke earlier.

Who are these people? How did they know me? Why are they so surprised to see me?

Moments passed before the Godaime finally had herself back. She took a breath before sitting back in her chair, thinking of the best solution she could give. She shut her eyes, concentrating on the matter. Sighing, she opened them once again to look at the Hyuuga and the Uchiha who were still at her doorway.

"What time is it, Shizune?" She did not look at her assistant. Instead, she kept her gaze at the young white eyed girl.

"It's already eleven o'clock," Shizune answered after checking her wrist watch.

"I think it is not polite to break into the Hyuuga manor at this hour," Tsunade stated, thinking hard. "And Hiashi Hyuuga is in the Snow for some meeting." Smiling, she continued, "Therefore, Hinata will stay with you Sasuke for tonight."

Much to Sasuke's annoyance, he saw the Naruto-like grin across the Hokage's face.

"She'll stay with you until morning comes and we could discuss this matter with some of the Hyuugas." She grinned even wider. "And don't do anything ridiculous if you don't want to be skinned by either Hiashi or Neji."

At this point, Sasuke was not entirely sure of what he really felt. Should he be annoyed because he will have to share his apartment to a stupid Hyuuga girl who could not say anything but 'anou'? Or should he be happy since he will spend the night with a girl who almost took his breath away? Nevertheless, it appears that he doesn't have any choice to choose from. The Godaime's words were considered as laws and no one should go against those laws.

As a result, Sasuke took the girl to his humble apartment and let her stay for the night.

To be continued…

Author's Note: Err… I've committed something really bad last time… I forgot to acknowledge ishy for beta reading the second chapter. (thanks a lot ishy!!!)

Thank you for reading… Can you please leave a review? Please?

It's already 11:57 pm. And I'm really sleepy. Zzzz… Good night everyone!