Whoa. Been way too long guys, I apologize. But you know how it is. Enjoy! Have a good summer!

Chapter 3
Stranger Danger

Hinata had found out that the only place to get any breakfast in this village was at a pub downtown. It was classier than the one last night, but it still made Hinata uncomfortable. The bartender didn't laugh at her order, and for that she was grateful. What she assumed as prostitutes were at almost every table, chatting it up with and entertaining drunk old men. It made her feel queasy to look at these people, and she left hurriedly after she finished her food.

The rain dropped lightly on Hinata's face, and she welcomed it. The air was fresh and cool, and Hinata wished she could walk a little bit longer. But priorities came first. Money. She needed it. Now.

From what Hinata could tell, this country didn't seem to have any ninjas of it's own. Being between two larger ninja-laden countries had taken its toll. There were remnants of past fights on every corner, broken glass and blood stains on walls. Even though the Great War was over a decade ago, there were many villages such as these that just couldn't repair the damage.

Hinata surveyed the houses she passed by. They were small, and some had holes in the foundation. Stores were few and even then, only had basic supplies. Not only that, but the hospital was a mere two story building. She was struck with pity for this poor town.

Much different from the four story Konoha hospital. Probably a lot less high tech too.

One thing that was helpful was that finding a job in this village was fairly easy. People were eager for any help that they could get because of the small size of their population. There were fliers for jobs on every lamppost. The rain was drenching most of them, and the smudging of their ink made all the words indecipherable. Hinata caught sight of one that was legible enough though. It was an easy D-rank mission that rewarded much more than it should have, possibly due to the lack of ninjas. The mission was to find a lost dog and bring it to the address at the bottom of the flier. Looking around first to make sure it was safe (afterall, who would be walking in the rain?), Hinata discreetly turned on her Byakugan and began her search.

Team Kakashi had set off the day before. Hinata had had about four to five days of a head start, but they assumed that she was traveling at her own pace, and that they could catch up with her before she got into Kumogakure territory. Of course, Kakashi was leading them, having been familiar with the area during the Great War.

What they hadn't counted on though was the unexpected rain that came upon them right after leaving. To avoid slipping on the tree branches, Sakura had suggested they use a bit of chakra to stick onto them. After a few hours, the rain kept getting heavier and heavier, with no signs of stopping. Team Kakashi had to steadily increase the amount chakra they used. By nightfall, Kakashi, Sakura and even Sasuke were all exhausted from the extensive chakra usage. Naruto, being the never-ending pit of chakra and stomache, was the only one who wanted to keep going.

"Since when did you guys get so lazy?! Come one, it's just a few more hours!"

"Naruto you idiot! Who are you calling lazy?!"

"I-I didn't mean you, Sakura! Just the teme and the pervert! P-Please don't hit me!!"

Alas, the blonde's begging for mercy was met with a cold fist from our very own Sakura Haruno. "We're gonna take a rest here whether you like it or not Naruto. If you're that energetic, you can keep watch first." With that said, Sakura started setting up her tent.

"What about you Sasuke-teme? Bet you I can reach Kumogakure first!"

The Uchiha didn't want to admit that he was dead tired, so a simple "Hn" was his answer.

"Give it a rest Naruto. And start setting up a fire or something useful," was Kakashi's suggestion. Naruto pouted but took his advice. Afterall, Hinata couldn't be too far away. Right?

As he started a fire, Naruto took his time to ponder over Hinata's sudden departure. He remembered her as a petite girl who always looked like a tomato (what with all the blushing and all.) He always had to strain his ears to listen to her because of the stutter, though it had gradually become easier. Naruto could understand why Kiba liked her so much, she was pretty. Not as beautiful as his Sakura of course, but not plain either. But since when did Hinata, the meekest person he knew, decide to leave Konoha? Was it really for her sister, or something else?

He dismissed his thoughts when Sakura called him over to help with her tent.

As Hinata searched for the elusive dog, she was sharply reminded of her genin days. With Kiba and Akamaru's sense of smell, her own Byakugan, and Shino's extensive information system (as he insisted his bugs be called), they had always made short work of these kinds of missions.

She could feel their absence now more than ever. Hinata missed running through the streets with her companions at her sides, giggling at Kiba's behavior and contemplating Shino's. She sorely missed Kurenai's motherly suggestions, and Akamaru's…dogginess? Drooliness? PeeingOnNeji-ness? The dog had never liked Neji.

Her Byakugan showed an image of a small dog matching the picture of the flier in her hand. The little dog was about 100 yards away, in an alley. The poor thing whined hungrily as it digged for scraps of food in the trash. As Hinata approached, it popped it's little black head up and wagged it's tail, almost as if to greet her.

"C-Come here little doggie. I-I won't hurt you." He trodded up to her slowly, tickling her outstretched hands with his wet black nose. Hinata scooped him up and was pleasantly surprised that he didn't wriggle out of her arms. He stank like the trash he was just digging in, but it was nothing the owner couldn't get rid of with a nice bath.

The address on the flier led to a house a little up the road, about a half mile away. Hinata wondered why the owner didn't find the dog in the first place when he was so close. She was met with an answer when an old lady opened the door, hobbling quickly to the entrance. Her gray streaked hair was pulled tight into a bun, but her brown eyes looked friendly and happy when she saw the dog. The little lady looked gratefully at Hinata as she took the dog from her.

"Oh, thank you kindly dear." Hinata blushed a bit at her next sentence. "I suppose I should be giving you your reward now."

"I-I'd do it f-for free. "
"Nonsense! Just look at Pokko! He's as happy as a clown! I must thank you for bringing him back unharmed and safe."

The lady popped inside and out of the house so quickly that Hinata had to wonder if she was a former ninja. She handed Hinata the roll of bills and shut the door. Hinata looked guiltily at her feet. It wasn't every day she took money from kind old ladies… but she needed it right now. And it was quite a reward. Almost twice as much as she would have made in Konoha. Plus, it was for Hanabi's sake.

Sighing, she trudged back to one of the stores she passed. Buying an umbrella was at the top of her list.

It was Sasuke's turn to keep watch. He'd be damned if the orange idiot found him sleeping while he was supposed to be guarding them. The last time he had made that mistake, Naruto wouldn't let him live it down for the whole year. He still talked about it, even now. The idiot.

Of course, his thoughts wound up on the same person they usually wound up on when he had free time. Itachi. He wondered where he was now, if he was dead or alive. Then he decided that he didn't care. Itachi was a murderer, the killer of his clan. He betrayed them all. Sasuke clenched his fists at the memory of his dead parents, slaughtered on the floor while Itachi stood over them. It was an image that had been burned into his mind over the years, and the main reason why he had wanted revenge on his brother.

Had. It was no longer his first priority. With Naruto on the fast track to becoming hokage, Sakura a top medic, and Kakashi being, well, Kakashi, Sasuke felt a bit left behind. No, that wasn't it. Lost? Lonely? Whatever it was, he had found a new priority.

Restoring the Uchiha clan was on now on top of the list. Loathe as he was to admit it, Sasuke would have to settle down with a female and produce strong Uchiha offspring. God, it even sounded gay in his head. Naruto was rubbing off on him.

As such, he had looked around for a proper girl in Konoha as soon as Naruto had dragged him back. Sitting on the hospital bed, he had realized how foolish he had been. Instead of killing off an Uchiha, he should have been focused on making more. Restoring his clan with a wife, starting a family as soon as was possible, and making a new era for the Uchiha clan was what he hoped for. His main concern for now though was that he would have to find a suitable girl.

Sakura was an option, but Sasuke had seen how she looked at Naruto when he wasn't looking. No need to butt into their relationship, if you could call it that. Ino, too, was an option, but he doubted he had the patience to put up with her. No, he had wanted someone quiet, someone who was brought up the right way, someone who knew the ways of a clan, someone who was…

That was when Hinata Hyuuga had made her presence known. Shyly opening the door, she practically threw a container of balm at him. Stuttering, she had told him to feel better and quickly left before he could glare at her. A few hours later, it hit him. She was reserved. She was quiet. She was a Hyuuga. She had manners. She was head over heels in love with Naruto, but that could be changed with time.

The girl was also weak, pathetic really. Did he really want a wife like that? He remembered his mother, a strong, brave kunoichi in her time, before she had children. Then again, look how that had turned out. His mother was dead, and her son had killed her. Hinata would be made stronger, he would make sure of it. Afterall, what were his other options? Hinata was not the ideal, but the better choice.

Yes, his decision two years ago was unknown to even Hinata Hyuuga herself, but he had made progress. He had asked Hiashi for her hand, and the clan leader seemed thrilled. Afterall, Sasuke was now technically clan head, and the Hyuuga now had a way of keeping any new Uchihas under his watch. Of course he had given his blessing. Now he was dead. Sasuke sympathized with the girl. He himself had lost his father to a massacre. He could understand why she went after her sister. A stupid decision, but he understood. Hinata didn't know it, but she was his fiancé.

She was also nearing enemy territory, and could be killed off at any moment.

No, he couldn't allow that. The future of his Uchiha children and grandchildren depended on her being alive. She would be no use dead.

Sasuke crept over to the sleeping Naruto, nudging him with one foot. Naruto opened his eyes and glared at the Uchiha for interrupting his dream about Sakura.

"What's the big idea teme?" Naruto mumbled while rubbing his still closed eyes with one hand. Sasuke scoffed at his childish response before answering.

"Oi, idiot. About that race…"

Hinata looked down at her grumbling stomach while she paid for her sandals. The old ones were ruined by the rain, and Hinata decided that it was time for a new pair. It was already late afternoon, and she hadn't eaten except for the hurried breakfast that morning. Combining the money she had received from the mission and what she had taken with her from Konoha, Hinata concluded that she had just enough to last her another 3 days. Hinata headed for the pub.

It was still raining, but with the new umbrella at hand, the walk was much more comfortable. Hinata avoided a puddle and walked leisurely to the glowing red lights that indicated where the pub was located.

Inside it was much the same as that morning. Men were smoking and drinking with each other, while some women threaded between them. The bartender handed Hinata her order, then went on to some man at the other end of the bar. Again, Hinata felt the queasiness.

Wait. It's not so much as a sick feeling as…recognition. But what is my body recognizing?

Then it hit her, like a punch in the gut. It was the same chakra signature she had felt the other night.

Has he been following me this whole time?

She felt it about 5 stools down, and sneaked a peek in that direction. A man sat there, picking at his food but not bringing any to his mouth. His tall frame overpowered the bartender's height even though he was sitting, and Hinata felt a stab of fear run through her. Next to the man was another one, dressed in the same black cloak. The men neither noticed her presence nor acknowledged it, and Hinata tried to calm herself down.

It could just be a coincidence. Their chakra levels aren't even that of a ninja's.. They are probably just travelers going in the same direction as me.

Just before she left though, the bartender approached her with a drink, and set it down in front of her.

"I d-didn't order this." Hinata said before pushing the beverage back to the man. He laughed and pointed down the table to the men in the cloaks. "I know, those guys there bought it for ya toots. Drink up." Her eyes widened. Could they have caught her staring at them? She looked down at the drink. It appeared fine, and she took a cautious sip. It was good. She drank some more, and before she knew it, she had drank the whole thing.

Better head back to the inn.

She tipped the bartender and left. The fresh night air was a welcome relief from the reek of alcohol. Hinata took a deep breathe, and took her time walking down the street.

Any other time, Neji would be scolding me for walking the streets alone.

Thinking of Konoha only made her feel depressed and dizzy, so she shook all thoughts of it from her head. That didn't exactly help the dizziness though. All too soon, she was standing at the door of her room. Taking her key, she tried putting it into the slot but found she couldn't.

Wha-What? Why won't it go in?

Her hands were shaking, and her dizziness made her feel faint and light headed. It was getting harder and harder to stand. Hinata's legs collapsed under her, but before Hinata's head collided with the floor she felt warmth and darkness engulf her.

Oh right, before I forget. No, this will not be a SasuHina fic. If anything, it will all be one-sided. See, Sasuke doesn't love Hinata, he just wants her to make Uchihas with him. Soyeah.. Next update will be in about a week. Promise.