Chapter Four - A Suspicious Motive
"Looks like it's just you and me Hinata."
"Perhaps Sasuke-kun felt the festival too overwhelming for his return?"
"Who Teme? Nah, he'd jump at any chance for the limelight."
Still as dense as he was as a genin, it was moments like these that the Hyuga heiress truly appreciated the blonde-haired shinobi by her side. The prospect of her role as Head Leader of the Hyuga clan was steadily amounting to immense pressure, so much so that the Hyuga kunoichi valued any spare moment spent with the ever-optimistic blonde shinobi.
"Is Sasuke-kun adjusting well?"
The blonde-haired shinobi only shrugged nonchalantly.
"I know half the villagers would rather see Sasuke leave Konoha for good but I'm certain he'll win them over eventually. Besides Sasuke's too thick-skinned to let a bunch of mindless talk get to him that easily."
"Hai. You're probably right Naruto."
"I'm always right, anyway I'm more worried for TenTen."
"TenTen-san?"
At the mention of her cousins lover, the Hyuga heiress felt the slight twinge of guilt rise within her. She had not dropped in on the bun-haired kunoichi as often as she would have liked, the demands of her clan would not allow her.
"I hope she is not upset with me, I haven't been able to see her recently and I know she must be worried over Neji-kun."
"She is, I've never seen TenTen so miserable. I think everyone's being too doubtful about Neji returning but I know he won't abandon her. We've seen how much he adores TenTen."
The Hyuag heiress couldn't argue with the last statement. By reputation her cousin was renowned for his discreet nature but it would take a blind person not to spot the overwhelming affections that the Hyuga prodigy harboured for the bun-haired kunoichi.
"I just wish I could go and get Neji back myself."
Smiling affectionately at the blonde-haired shinobi, the Hyuga kunoichi timidly slipped her hand into his own.
"I only wish that too."
Grinning the blonde-haired shinobi interlaced his fingers with the kunoichis, causing her to blush lightly. Neither spoke another word; having already said enough to dishearten the mood, they instead soaked up the enjoyment of being in one anothers presence. It was short-lived however. Without warning the blonde-haired shinobi ceased walking causing the Hyuga heiress to nearly loose her footing. Fortunately the blonde-haired shinobi easily prevented the incident from occuring.
"Gomen Hinata."
"You should be more careful Naruto. The Hyuga clan won't take to kindly if their future leader is in a leg cast."
Both the blonde-haired shinobi and the Hyuga heiress turned only to find themselves face to face with none other than the Uchiha prodigy and, to their surprise, the bun-haired kunoichi.
The Hyuga heiress was the first to recover from the surprising appearance of the two most unlikely companions.
"TenTen-san, I did not think you would be up to attending the festival."
"I wasn't really but Sasuke invited me along."
The Hyuga heiress noted how calm the kunoichi appeared; had Naruto not just mentioned her state of misery only moments ago?
"Teme invited you?"
It seemed that the blonde-haired shinobi was sharing the same thoughts as the heiress.
The Uchiha prodigy did not seem at all fazed by the peculiar situation and only brushed off the odd looks his ex-teammate was giving him. But the blonde-haired shinobi would not let his long time friend off the hook so easily.
"Sasuke. I forgot to tell you, Grandma Tsunade wanted to speak to you about something."
Without protest the Uchiha prodigy followed the blonde-haired shinobi as he walked away from the two kunoichi's. Satisfied that they were outisde of the hearing range of the kunoichi's, the blonde-haired shinobi turned his attention once more onto the Uchiha prodigy.
"What is it Naruto?"
The Uchiha prodigy had of course seen through the blonde-haired shinobi's lie. Intrigued had been his sole reason for following his ex teammate, hoping to discover the underlaying agenda of the blonde shinobi's fabricated lie.
"TenTen shouldn't be here."
It was an indirect accusation but what the blonde-haired shinobi was accusing him of was beyond his knowledge.
"It is not healthy for her child should she continue cooping herself up in that apartment."
"Oh so your an expert on being pregnant now?"
The Uchiha prodigy had so far concluded that his appearance with the bun-haired kunoichi was the reason for the blonde-haired shinobi's interrogation.
"Sasuke you're my friend but so is TenTen. Your being here with her is making me suspicious. Just remember this Sasuke, that child you seemed so worried about is Hyuga Neji's child."
At this the Uchiha prodigys eyes narrowed a fraction.
"And what exactly are you implying?"
The blonde-haired shinobi only turned his gaze to where the two kunoichi's were left standing.
"I'm not implying anything but keep in mind Sasuke, she's not for you."
--
"How are you doing TenTen-san?"
The bun-haired kunoichi was grateful that the Hyuga heiress had taken the initiative.
"I...uh...I've been...well no, I haven't been doing too well."
Her initial response had been to reassure the Hyuga heiress that the she was doing perfectly fine but as she locked eyes with those all too familiar lavender eyes. The kunoichi found that she could not lie as easily to the Hyuga heiress as easily as she could to others. The Hyuga heiress appreciated the bun-haired kunoichi's honesty, it was not an easy feat allowing others to see how weak one person had come to be, especially considering that the bun-haired kunoichi had to hold herself together not only for her own benefit but for the benefit of her unborn child.
"How is the baby?"
At the mention of her child, the bun-haired kunoichi seemed to lighten up a little.
"Good, really good. I felt him kick today for the first time. I can't tell you Hinata how exhilarating it was, just knowing I have this little life inside of me growing is one thing. But to actually feel it is just mind blowing, even Sasuke was speechless."
The Uchiha prodigy. The Hyuga heiress was unsure of what to make of the sharingan wielder; she herself never held any personal grudges against the Uchiha. But she was certain that if Neji were here to see him with the bun-haired kunoichi, her cousin would be absolutely livid. However the sharingan wielder did not seem to pose any threat to the bun-haired kunoichi or her unborn child, if anything the bun-haired kunoichi appeared more relaxed around the Uchiha.
"Neji would have wanted to be here, to feel the baby kicking."
The bun-haired kunoichi's voice was soft and filled with emotion; she was obviously holding back the tears that were threatening to spill. In the end the Hyuga heiress decided that the bun-haired kunoichi's happiness was the primary concern at the moment and she could only hope that her cousin would eventually return. The bun-haired kunoichi could not continue on for much longer.
--
"There's been no trace or sighting of the Hyuga. At this stage we can only assume the worst Hokage-sama."
The female sannin wasn't at all pleased with the report she was currently receiving because it only meant one thing. One big migraine was on the horizon. The group of 5 strong ANBU shinobi stood scattered through her office, awaiting any further dismissal or action should she offer any. They weren't much use to her now; they had done as she had requested and she as their leader could not ask for more. They had done their job and now she would have to do hers.
"Very well, you may all leave now."
One by one, the elite shinobi gradually departed the office until it was only the Hokage herself left with her ever faithful right hand student.
"Shizune."
"Hai Tsunade?"
"Request Hyuga Hiashi to be in my office now."
"Hai."
The brunette med-nin departed the office hastily but not before stopping as the female sannin spoke once more.
"And Shizune, I'll need you to get TenTen for me as well."
Sensing a retaliation or a disapproval of some sort the female sannin only held up a hand in a commanding gesture.
"Not tonight Shizune, just do as I ask."
Turning away reluctantly the brunette medic-nin grudgingly departed the office. Finally alone in the solitude of her office the female sannin reached underneath her table to where she kept a hidden stash of sake; she was going to need a drink or two if she was going to survive the rough night ahead.