Seductive Sound
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter because it will be showcase two sides of Sasuke.
Chapter Notation: Kid Sasuke was very eager to please everyone and always worried about not measuring up. In this case, that drive has been focused solely on Hinata and as for Angry Sasuke, well no real explanation needed there. Of course, his fury will not be directed at Hinata though. Happy reading!
Chapter 4
A few hours had passed since Hinata had tried once again to get Sasuke to undo her cuffs in vain. The bluenette decides that she was just unlucky. There was a very good chance that the youngest Uchiha might be insane, but he was clearly not stupid.
"I want to introduce you to my Summons." Summons as in plural?! "They will watch over you while I train." He glances at her as if this was all perfectly normal. "Clones only go so far and no, I'm not taking the cuffs of you yet." And in his mind, it probably was.
This was likely very normal to him. The Hyuga woman sighs and nods as sits in the grass and wraps her kimono further around herself. It was made of the finest silk that she had ever felt in her life and was a rich navy blue color. Sasuke had found it for her.
"Alright." What else was there to say really?
She couldn't run with her hands cuffed and Sasuke was still being nice. If he hadn't kidnapped her, he would have been the perfect boyfriend really. Sadly, he had kidnapped her and Hinata was still stuck in a village filled with enemy ninjas and utterly at the mercy of whatever whim happened to strike her protector at any given moment.
He smiles and summons a massive hawk. "This is Garuda." He was beautiful! "He doesn't talk, but he is highly intelligent. Garuda can fly you to safety in a dangerous situation and he'll know where to find me instinctively." Well that was good. Maybe.
"And you're sure that he doesn't mind that?" Flying people on his back? "It doesn't hurt him to carry a human around like that?"
Sasuke shakes his head as he idly pets the bird's cheek. For all the world to Hinata, it almost seemed like Garuda was just the Uchiha's overgrown parrot. Sasuke certainly didn't treat him like a potentially dangerous animal.
He smiles at her again. "No. He's used to carrying me and you weigh less than me." It was a beautiful smile. She just wished that it didn't come attached to a man in the middle of a psychotic break. "So it'll be easy for him."
"Well that's good." At least she wouldn't have to worry about hurting the hawk's back.
Hopefully, it never came to that though. Using Garuda to escape was out of the question. He'd just fly her back to Sasuke most likely.
Sasuke nods as he Summons another animal. "This is Aoda." Sasuke smiles fondly at the snake. "He talks and his purpose is rather self-explanatory."
Hinata's eyes widen at the sight of the truly massive serpent. He had to be the size of a two or three story building! Aoda also looked exactly like the kind of snakes that Orochimaru had attacked the Leaf with during the Chunin Exams!
"Master Sasuke!" The snake hisses happily. "It's good to see you again."
The Hyuga woman hadn't known that snakes could hiss happily, but apparently they could. Good to know. Still, that didn't solve her problems!
Sasuke nods approvingly at the giant reptile. "Aoda, this is Hinata." She was being introduced to a snake! "She is going to be my Mate and you will treat her in exactly the same manner you treat me." A snake who now likely thought they were married! "She is to be protected at all costs!"
"Yes, Master Sasuke." Aoda smiles. "She is a pretty one. Very nice scales." She was being complimented by a snake on her skin…
Hinata wasn't sure how to take that exactly. "T-Thank you." though it appeared Aoda was a nice snake.
Maybe, she was being too harsh. The creature couldn't really help its species. It didn't seem like Aoda had been behind the attack on the Leaf.
"Yes, she is." Sasuke smiles at Hinata and then turns his attention back to Aoda and Garuda. "Your job is to keep her safe while I train and at any other time." The Uchiha's eyes darken. "Make sure that Orochimaru and Kabuto don't get too close to her either."
Well that was good. Hinata was firmly behind the idea of keeping those two as far away from her as possible. She couldn't suppress a shudder as she remembers the feeling of Kabuto's hands on her or Oorchimaru's stare.
"Yes, Master Sasuke." Aoda nods at him as he nuzzles the human. "Don't worry, we'll protect your Mate and your Hatchlings when they come along." Sasuke nods and seems satisfied with that as he dispels them.
H-Hatchings?! Hinata was pretty sure that was the snake version of saying babies. Suddenly, Hinata was feeling rather dizzy and everything was spinning.
"Hinata?" The raven haired ninja tilts his head at her expression as he quickly makes his way back towards her and sits down on the grass. "Are you alright?" Scooping her up into his arms.
Everything was still spinning, but she felt strangely comforted by being held by him. "Y-Yes, I think so." Which was wrong and she knew that.
Sasuke was charitably a very sick person. He was confused. His feelings seemed genuine, but they were scrambled. Scrambled enough that he actually thought having her kidnapped was an acceptable way of asking her out!
"Do you want to go back to our room?" He frowns and looks at her in concern. "Maybe, it's just some lingering effects from the Sleeping Gas." The fact that he said that so casually was highly disturbing, really.
He might have a point though. "That might be a good idea." It could actually be that, but it was more the thought of motherhood.
Sasuke didn't need a lover at the moment. He needed help. Badly. For now though, Hinata would just indulge him.
He clearly wanted to play the role of the protector and right now, that's exactly what the Hyuga woman needed. As soon as she saw an opening, Hinata would escape. She'd escape with valuable intelligence about the Sound and maybe, the Leaf would be able to capture him.
Once that happened, Sasuke could get the help he needed. "Alright." She thinks to herself as Sasuke lifts her up Bridal Style again, carrying her back to towards their bedroom.
That last thought disturbed her. It wasn't their bedroom. That room belonged to Sasuke. She shouldn't think of it as belonging to the two of them, but she had. Damn it. She needed to get out of here and fast!
To say the least, Naruto was furious. He couldn't believe this! The Sound had kidnapped Hinata and now, they had to rescue Sasuke and her!
"Don't worry, Naruto." Sakura nods at her teammate as they race off together. "We'll find her."
That was true! They had all the Rookie Nine and even Gai Sensei's Team out looking for her. They'd find Hinata and bring Sasuke home! Believe it!
Tension was still high though. "Arf! Even Akamaru was feeling it. "Arf!"
The poor canine probably felt guilty about Hinata being abducted on his watch, Naruto decides. Akamaru was a smart dog. So it really wasn't that big a leap to reach such conclusions.
"Can you pick up her trail, Buddy?" Kiba was looking at his canine companion imploringly.
Which reminded Naruto, Team Eight was the one who was feeling this worst of all. Kurenai, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino were all worried sick about their teammate as they should be.
Gods and Goddesses only knew what that sick freak was doing to her! Hinata had the Byakugan. Which was kinda like the Sharingan. So that snake was likely very interested in it.
The thought of what might be happening to Hinata right now was enough to make the blonde want to throw up. "Arf!" It certainly wasn't helping matters that Ninja Dog didn't seem to have a trail either.
"I'll send my insects out." Shino releases a swarm and they disperse rapidly. "We'll cover more ground this way."
Neji nods approvingly at that. "Byakugan!" Seeing the other Hyuga activate his eyes made Naruto feel a bit better.
Hinata's cousin could see really far with that thing. That should increase their chances. Maybe, they weren't too late!
"Don't worry, the Power of Youth will save her!" Lee shakes his fist determinedly as the group flits from tree to tree.
Naruto could only hope that Bushy Brows was right. Though one thing was for sure. They all had to get moving!
"Shino, Kiba!" Ino's voice pierces through the chaos. "You need to take the lead and show us where your team was ambushed." That was a good point.
They might be able to figure out what happened from there. The two men of Team Eight nod and quickly take their place at the front of the Retrieval Team. Naruto had never seen either of them look that angry before and honestly, it was a little scary.
He understood why though. Their teammate had been kidnapped. Anyone would have reacted in the same way.
"Well let's get moving then!" Choji's bellow is heard as the team moves as a single unit.
Their mind was only on one thing. Saving Hinata and bringing Sasuke Uchiha back to the Leaf.
Sasuke lays Hinata down on the bed gently, before joining her. "Maybe, you just need to sleep off the aftereffects." Though he couldn't help, but feel a little worried about her.
Had the Retrieval Team somehow given her the wrong dose? Was there something wrong with the Sleeping Gas? Should he have Kabuto take another look at her?
"Maybe." Hinata surprises Sasuke by actually cuddling up to him a bit.
That was a good sign. There was a chance that Hinata was getting used to things now. Perhaps, she was less frightened of him now and things could start going as they should now.
He kisses the top of her head. "I know that you probably don't believe this." Sasuke had given her no reason to do so. "I am sorry though. I'm sorry that you woke up to those freaks and that you were scared."
She was safe now though. Hinata was right where she belonged in his arms and far away from the likes of Orochimaru and Kabuto. Those two men had no business being anywhere near her.
He didn't either really. A long time ago, Sasuke might have actually deserved her love. That was before he had ordered the person he loved most brought here. To the place of her nightmares.
"I know you are." Hinata rests her head on his chest. "I just want to go home. I miss my family." The one person who had ever managed to comfort him, Sasuke had hurt. "You understand what that's like."
Her family wasn't dead. It wasn't exactly the same, but he had still taken her family from her. It was temporary, but still.
Sasuke had to find a way to comfort her somehow. "This isn't forever." He shakes his head and smiles at her. "You'll see them again. After I kill Itachi and Orochimaru, we can go back to the Leaf."
Hinata nods at that and seems to accept it. "Good because I really want to go home." Damn Itachi. This was all his fault.
He never would have hurt the bluenette like this, if it wasn't for his brother. It was a miracle that she seemed to be accepting her new role as much as she was really. Sasuke wouldn't have blamed her, if she hadn't. If she had done nothing, but curse his name all day.
"I know, but it's not all bad." He had done everything that he could to make her comfortable here. "Is it?" Protected her from Orochimaru and Kabuto, fed her, given her a kimono, held her while she slept, and comforted her as much as he could.
Wasn't that enough? Was she really that frightened of the Sound Village? Maybe, it was just as simple as she had said though. Maybe, she really just missed her family.
She shakes her head and snuggles against him further. "It's not all bad." She looks up at him. "I just hope you kill them soon."
Yeah. So did he. Once those two were dead, they could live a normal life. He could do things the proper way.
Sasuke could court her and take her as his wife. They'd restore the Clan together and Hinata wouldn't have to cling to him out of fear. She'd cling to him because she wanted to.
"Don't worry." He caresses her cheek and then the curve of her hip. "I will. I promise."
A few hours later, Orochimaru smirks as he watches Sasuke train. His progress was truly incredible. Even more so than usual. Perhaps, he should have brought the Hyuga woman to the Sound earlier.
"You're doing marvelously. Beyond marvelous, really. Sasuke was going to be the best vessel that he had ever had to date and thanks to the man's other efforts, he'd likely have many more perfect vessels where that came from.
Sasuke sheathes his sword. "I saw the way you were looking at her." My, my. It appeared that Sasuke was actually jealous. "And Hinata mentioned how thorough Kabuto was with his physical evaluation of her." Very jealous, it appeared.
That simply wouldn't do. How was he supposed to take Hinata for his wife, if Sasuke was already this jealous? Then again, there was no reason to tell him of such things. The Transference Ritual would already be complete by the time it became a concern.
"Of course, Kabuto was thorough with her." Orochimaru smiles at him slyly. "You wish to restore your Clan with that woman." The Sannin clucks his tongue as if he was dealing with a naughty child. "There would be no point in attempting to do so, if she was not healthy enough to assist you in that manner."
Sasuke's eyes bleed ruby red. Most people would have been frightened, but Orochimaru was not. The fact of the matter was that Sasuke still needed him. He needed the Sannin to grow strong enough to kill Itachi and thus, the Uchiha wouldn't actually hurt him.
"She is perfectly healthy and we all know that." The younger ninja's voice was dripping with venom and disgust. "He was deliberately dragging it out and making her uncomfortable."
Well Kabuto might have been enjoying his task a little too much, but the woman had been unconscious. Nothing too improper had happened. Honestly, Orochimaru would have had a hard time not indulging in such impulses himself, had he been in the silver haired medic's place!
He shakes his head at Sasuke. "I shall speak to Kabuto about it." To which Sasuke raises his own hand briefly before he moves faster than any cobra and slams Kabuto against the wall.
"There is no need." Sasuke glares at the medic. "He's right here." He smirks. "So I believe that we can continue our discussion right where we left off!"
At that same moment, Hinata was currently out in one of the training grounds. "Are you hungry, Lady Hinata?" Being protected by a giant talking snake and a hawk. Her life had taken a very strange turn, even by ninja standards.
She shakes her head and smiles. It was strange, really. Aoda did act like a golden retriever in so many ways. It was almost difficult to believe he was actually a snake, Hinata thinks to herself as she idly strokes Garuda's soft feathers.
"No, thank you." She smiles at the polite serpent. "I'm not hungry."
Aoda looks a little less than convinced though. "Are you sure?" The bluenette wasn't really sure hwy the snake wanted her to eat so badly. "If you and Sasuke are going to try for Hatchlings, it would be ideal to ensure that you are well nourished first."
Well that answered that question. Was Sasuke really that eager to try to begin a family with her or was it just a snake thing? It was possible the huge reptile was just relying on snake instincts and had failed to grasp the complexity of what he was saying. Hinata could only assume that human and snake standards of courtship varied greatly.
"Y-Yes, I'm sure." She blushes.
Dealing with Aoda's quirks was a lot easier than dealing with Sasuke's though. One minute, he was a genius, criminal ninja and the next he was almost like a small child again. So eager to please her that it was almost sweet and almost in the next minute, he would shoot her what she called 'Bedroom Eyes.'
Hinata was just fortunate that whatever strange battle was being waged inside Sasuke for control at the moment, it was going in her favor. All the different Sasuke's seemed to agree on one thing. They adored her.
A fact which she had to use to her advantage. "Very well then." To escape. "Let me know, if you change your mind." Aoda smiles at her.
Her part would have to be played to perfection and Hinata couldn't actually fall for him in the process. If that happened, she might not want to leave and she couldn't just stay in the Sound indefinitely until Sasuke killed Itachi! She had her family to think of!
"I will." Hinata nods at him.
There was something beautiful and fragile about the way he was so desperate to keep her safe and make her happy. It tugged at her heart, but Hinata couldn't stay.
It wouldn't be smart or safe. Who knew how long these various versions of Sasuke would be safe to be around? No, it was far better to get out of there as soon as possible.
"Good." Aoda sways around happily as if he was a dog waving his tail and Hinata tries to suppress the feeling of guilt that accompanied the motion.
They needed her, but her family needed Hinata more. Maybe, she could bring Sasuke back to the Leaf and get him the help he needed. Right now though, she was just trying to survive life in the Sound Village!
"Sasuke, what are you doing?!" He hears Orochimaru's voice echo throughout the room.
The youngest Uchiha couldn't help, but smirk at that. Orochimaru was scared. He should be. He was about to lose his most favorite pet.
Kabuto squirms under his hold. "Let go of me!" So he backhands him.
It felt good to do so. It felt good hear the sickening crack that told Sasuke he had broken the medic's jaw. It felt even better to hear Orochimaru's scream when he did it.
"I'm teaching you an important lesson." He keeps Kabuto firmly pinned to the wall as he looks at Orochimaru. "I agreed to be your vessel in exchange for power." That was true. "I never said that I would tolerate this pervert taking advantage of an unconscious woman."
Orochimaru's eyes narrow. He was clearly not happy with Sasuke's display. "Alright. You've made your point." No. He had not made his point. "Release him at once!" Sasuke was just getting started actually.
This sick bastard had touched his Hinata inappropriately. His sweet, innocent sunflower had been violated in a way. The only mercy he'd grant this son of a bitch was a quick death.
"No, I don't believe I have." Sasuke's own gaze hardens. "Hinata belongs to me. If anyone hurts her, touches her, insults her, or even looks at her the wrong way, this is what will happen to them." He forms a Chidori in his hand. "Watch carefully."
He was going to make this point swiftly and clearly. Orochimaru needed to learn that there were certain things he wouldn't tolerate. He'd tolerate the other man's sick experiments for now, but he wouldn't tolerate Hinata being made uncomfortable.
"RELEASE HIM!" Orochimaru's screams were music to his ears.
Sasuke knew that Orochimaru wouldn't be able to save his precious pet in time and that just made it all the sweeter. With that though in mind, he raises his fist back slowly with his hand illuminated by the blue lightning.
"L-L-Let g-go of me!" It was impressive that the lapdog was trying to yip at him, even now. Moments from death Kabuto was trying to save his own life.
Of course, Sasuke wasn't actually going to spare him. "Chidori!" Frankly, it amused him more than anything that this insect actually thought that he was ever going to be worthy of touching Hinata and that he was going to get away with doing so without being punished!
Kabuto was no Itachi. There wasn't nearly as much blood on his hands as Sasuke's older brothers. That didn't make his death unsatisfying though as he tears out the other man's heart.
For a brief moment, he could feel it beat around him as he grabbed it. Strange. The heart was a relatively small organ, but it was vital to keep people alive. Once you ripped out someone's heart, they died. They could trouble you no more.
"KABUTO!" Orochimaru's scream echoes throughout the Sound as Sasuke discards the heart onto the ground.
His lips curl in disgust. "I'm going to have to wash my hands before I see her again." Sasuke couldn't possibly hold Hinata while Kabuto's filthy blood was on him. That just wouldn't do.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Orochimaru seethes at him.
Sasuke turns his gaze towards him. "It's your choice. Which is more valuable to you?" He smirks. "Revenge for Kabuto's life or your quest for immortality?"
Orochimaru could fight him now, if he wanted. There was a chance the Sannin might win, but there was a chance that he wouldn't.
Orochimaru had been growing weaker every day. They both knew that. If Sasuke wasn't willing to give the other man his body, then Orochimaru would have to fight for it and that might not end in his favor.
"This is what happens when you indulge children too much." Hatred. Sasuke could feel hatred in Orochimaru's words. "They become spoiled!"
It was truly a measure of the Sannin's madness that he chose that word to describe the situation. Sasuke had just killed one of his most faithful servants and the other ninja was lecturing him as if he was a poorly behaved child? Had the silver haired medic really meant so little to him?
Sasuke shrugs and shakes his head. "I said I'd give you my body." He smirks at Orochimaru. "I never said I cared if you liked me or not. If any harm comes to Hinata, the deal is off." And with that, the Uchiha walks off to find a nearby washroom.
Orochimaru was psychotic, but he had cared for Kabuto on some level. The Uchiha knew one thing, he had hurt his favorite medic badly. More importantly than that though, he'd be at a disadvantage now.
Sure, other medics could administer the medication that Kabuto had made for Orochimaru. They still wouldn't be able to care for the Sannin as well. That meant now, he'd grow weaker faster and the time to strike was approaching. After all, he had a promise to keep to his sunflower. And an Uchiha never goes back on their word.