Hinata rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She hadn't been given a day to recover before Sasuke had woken her up at dawn. Hinata didn't mind, except for the harsh tone he was using, as if she knew she needed to appear in the first crater and find a way out of her shackle to meet Sasuke at 2:00 AM. The harsh conditions of her current situation was starting to affect her personality. It didn't make sense to her. Why? Why did Orichumaru want her trained? What made her something they wanted?

"First off, what's your chakra type." It was so funny as to how different it felt to be here now. How much things had changed in less than a week. She had gone from heiress to slave. At least now Sasuke was talking to her as a person… a lowly pathetic person, but nevertheless a person. She wasn't a pathetic animal now. She meant something, she guiltily felt the slight pleasure of being a small student again.

"I'm a water type." Hinata said quietly.

"Expected, you're very flexible, but you need to make use of your talent by mixing in speed and endurance." ((Authort's note: I couldn't help but crack up imagining Sasuke talking to hinata like this. I have a dirty mind))

He was cruel but kind as he gestured her out into the center of the crater.

"That means you'll be down on your knees gasping for lost breath when I'm done with you this first day."

Hinata nodded, and as she did, her jacket turned to the side nd something caught the sunlight. His eyes lit up.

"What do you have in your pocket Hinata?" he shot forward, faster then the most lightfooted of Kohona ninja, and he pulled a silver locket out of her pocket, seeking it glint in the light he smiled wickedly, his spirit like cold fire.

Hinata just looked down…nothing to stop him from opening it… from mocking her with savage laughter.

"Naruto?" It was his picture she had found, the locket was a dumb idea… but nevertheless, it held her heart and she what embarrassed at the fact that now someone knew.

His voice seemed to almost choke as he saw the picture. Instead of mockery she almost saw… sadness… softness… like a hawk feather snapped in half.

"Do you miss him… Sasuke-kun?" Hinata asked slowly, not wanting to scare away the only remaining shreds of human left in Orichumaru's murderous pet.

Sasuke crushed the locket with his hand and spoke softly.

"No…not anymore." He paused before looking straight at her, his eyes like a hawk "What are you looking at!? Run until sunset! " It was an excuse to move away from the awkward common ground, and hinata gladly accepted the offer ,scampering off like a mouse.

Hinata had learned that there were 10 craters that actually mattered and led to the lair of Orichumaru, every other was a fake. Orichumaru also seemed to move every so often, so she was grateful she and Naruto …and…Sakura had been lucky.

As Hinata took off Sasuke felt himself crouch… slowly he opened his fist…letting the silver polished locket rest in his hand.

All those years in Kohona… Naruto? We have more common ground than you think Hinata, yet there is one major difference. Both of us are outcasts, both of us were the weakest, beaten down by brothers. Yet… you do not have this hatred that I have? How is it possible that the calm white of your eyes is not mangled with detestation for Neji? He tried to kill you, I watched, I saw… and Naruto never saw, Naruto never cared about what happened to you… how do you still manage to love? How can you still exist in happiness when my energy comes only from hate?

Sasuke closed his eyes and retreated to the shadows.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hinata gasped. The sun was slowly disappearing, and time seemed to go backwards she was moving so slow. her legs were ready to shatter, the hat stand trees and setting sky blurring. She couldn't stop now, he had to keep…going… she felt the wind whistling in her eyes.Fatigue was slowly catching up to her, but she had to run harder, faster

I'll show him, I'll show him I'm not weak like he thought! I'm better now! Always, always…he was watching, watching as if I were some pathetic animal in the zoo, so weak when he was so strong. But now, I'll win, I can do this! Her feet landed on the ground, as if she were walking on knives, pain shot up her agonized legs with every step. I am strong, I'll do this… She saw the ground move beneath her, and finally felt the comforting shadow which meant the day was done. She looked up… there was Sasuke… watching always, yet this time, there was something different… recognition…? Almost as if he knew what it was like… no… he was too strong… too perfect to know…

Hinata felt her legs buckle from pressure and she fell, crashing, her hands covered in sweat and dust.

She smiled meekly. "I- I did it Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke walked over and knelt next to her. "You mean you survived…Hinata-chan. It will be a lot worse than this if you want to become useful, to anyone." He stood up, his arrogant tone angered her, but she was used to it slightly. Hewalked towards the center of the crater, where the passageway down to the barbaric tunnels lay.

Hinata realized she would have to get up.

"um…" she looked at Sasuke who turned round abruptly.

"What?"

"I-I haven't eaten… all day…well not since I was…." Hinata looked up. For once trying a pity card, one she thought she would never use again. However, her grumbling stomach made her comprimise.

"You want food? Go kill a deer and cook it. I'm not your servant, I'm your trainer, and NOT willingly. If you didn't realize…I own you. Get your own food." He jumped down the hole that led to the barbaric labyrinth below.

Hinata summoned up every shattered piece off strength she could possibly grab, and got up, feeling the groan in her legs as she stumbled for the entrance.

OOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hinata felt the Sapphire shackle clink around her wrist as she looked through the remains of her pack. Her food was gone… all but a single kunai was left of her weapons. They had left her with her change of clothes though, and she pulled on a shirt that would serve as her clothing for the night. Who knew what was watching…

She yearned for the simple feeling of a river flowing over her worries, or the picture of Hiyashi and Neji that lay by her bed.

Clink.

The shackle kept shaking. No matter what she did it rattled non-stop, driving her mad. However she didn't complain. At least she was alive. She was confused by everything that was happening so qickly. Once again her mind settled on the question Why do they want me? Why do they think I will do what they want? Her mind avoided the question 'Why do I do what they want' before surveying her room. Hinata saw a cot just reaching 6 inches above the floor, and she knelt down on top of it, smoothing out the creases, as if it was her downey bed from home. As she collapsed, the sweat slowly evaporating, from every pore she realized just how terrified she was. She had felt fine, but now, the after shock hit her with a wave of terror.

What will they do to me if I fall asleep? Why did they spare me… what if they use that jutsu… what if Sasuke makes me kill Narut-

Her fear doubled as a sharp knock cut off her thoughts.

"Hinata-kun?"

It was Sasuke.

Clink.

She pulled down her night shirt and opened the door. What could he possible want?

"I…I brought you food." He looked away, his dark hair hiding his eyes. Not that you could see very well anyway. He felt like a fool, he couldn't understand why he was helping her. She'd just be a burden in the end. Why was he feeding her weakness?

Because she's all you have left of home. Said a voice. It was right, He couldn't rid himself of the past when it was staring in the face with it's loving calm eyes.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Naruto stop struggling! You'll be fine!" Sakura had her hands pressed to his chest, as the 'Brave Uzumaki' was bawling like a little kid. Through the struggling, Naruto was actually pleased. Her hands were cool against his sskin and he recived a smack from Sakura as she saw his expression.

"It'll hurt! I know it will!" he closed his eyes and flailed his arms again, as the pain from punch faded.

"Here, let me help you Sakura." a voice resounded, deep and strong.

"Tsunada!" the Hokage walked in the room and Naruto looked up.

"Oh great… granny helping is the last thing I need."

"Naruto!" Sakura socked him in the shoulder.

"OUCH! What-cha do that for!?!"

"Don't insult her, she's a much better ninja then you could ever hope to be!" Sakura removed her fist, and began to move her hands swiftly.

Naruto felt himself drift, out the window, past Team Gai's four person pep-rally, past the mountains to the forest, acres and acres until he found the horrid memory of the craters.

He had failed Hinata.

"There, all done!" Tsunade and Sakura exclaimed in unison, their likeness more and more apparent.

"Huh?" Naruto shook his head and looked up.

"Ugh." Sakura sighed. "Not even a thank you… so typical."

"Give him a break, he's a boy." Tsunade said, as they started for the door, leaving Naruto to his daydreams and memories.

Hinata… are you still alive?

((XP I'm sorry for the long wait for this update (though not many ofyou read this) my internet was obliterated by snow, and right now I have people telling me Sasuke's too mean and he's too nice. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PICK! ARRGGH! Right now I'm going with trying to stay borderline, but if enough people tell me to make him go one way or the other I will. You can do that by reviewing (hint-hint) my story, or sending me a message(As soon as I realize of messaging works here.))