Branded
Chapter 4
Hinata landed on her back, hard. A groan passed her petal pink lips as her lavender eyes shut. She heard Sasuke exhale a breath as he crouched beside, his middle finger flicking her forehead.
" You rely to much on your blood line limit. It acts as a crutch that you can hide behind. With that mentality, you will not grow as a shinobi," he commented, stretching to his full height of an inch over six feet. Hinata pushed herself into a sitting position, rubbing her now sore forehead as she glared up at the Uchiha.
" The Gentle Fist is the only fighting style I know, Uchiha. It is the only style I was taught, even if I was terrible at it. So please, forgive me if I can't match your speed. The Hyuuga's Gentle Fist wasn't meant to be fast, it was meant to be silent, slow even," Hinata spoke, watching the last Uchiha run his large hand through his wild hair. As she spoke he glanced over his shoulder, his dark eyes connecting with her pale orbs.
" Yet you've been practicing this style for the past week, Hyuuga. I would expect at least some result. You, however, aren't showing me any because you keep activating that damn Byakugan of yours," Sasuke bit out, the words growled as he pivoted on his heel to face the smaller girl. He took in her appearance as she stood. Her defense itself was outstanding, nearly impossible for him to penetrate, nearly. It was her offense that needed work. He watched her carefully as she tugged the hem of her simple black tank top down, covering her naval. Her jeans remained the same, however instead of light colored denim, these were darker. Her indigo strands were plaited down her back, a few strands escaping the messy plait to frame her delicate face. Finally he glanced at her feet, noting that they were bare.
" I have an idea. Your defense is strong, however it does possess a few flaws that could be improved. We'll work on that for now. Come here," his voice left no room for argument. Without much of a choice, Hinata moved until she was standing in front of the taller ninja. Sasuke moved until he was standing behind her, inches separating their bodies. Every muscle in Hinata's body tensed as she felt the Uchiha's fingertips trail lightly on the nape of her neck. His chuckle caught her attention as her headband fell from it's place around her throat.
" I didn't think timid little Hinata could ever get a tattoo. What does it mean?" he spoke, his tone teasing as he pulled the head band away from her, watching as she swallowed.
" It means… disgrace. I didn't take the tattoo by choice," she whispered, glancing at her bare feet.
In a moment Sasuke felt horrible for teasin her about it, a feeling he wasn't used to surfaced as he moved the headband until it was level with her eyes.
" We're going to try an exercise, one Orochimaru used on me. You are not allowed to activate your blood line limit. You will not be able to see. You need to rely on your other senses to tell you how to move, were to move," Sasuke spoke, his warm breath ghosting over her the shell of her ear as he stepped closer to the smaller kunoichi, his chest pressed firmly against her back as his cool hands skimmed along her arms until they gripped her wrists. His movements were easy as he used his feet to place hers in the proper stance, moving her hands to stay where he wanted them.
" I've seen your control over chakra. Use that as your sixth sense. Let the chakra you control be your eyes. I've seen it done before. It is the same as using the Byakugan, only you won't see chakra networks, you will see outlines. Try it. Concentrate your chakra on your feet, than once you get a feel, extend your field of vision," Sasuke spoke, his tone commanding.
Inhaling a deep breath, Hinata followed his instructions. Before she was fully aware of her surroundings, she felt a kunai graze her cheek. She tensed, pivoting on her heel as she sought the source.
" You have to be prepared for everything, Hyuuga. You can not expect your opponent to wait until you are aware of your surroundings. I missed on purpose. I will throw another kunai in five seconds, I expect you to block it," Sasuke spoke, his voice was rough as he pulled another kunai from his weapon's pouch before he released it, sending it through the air once more. Hinata moved to the side, just out of reach. Sasuke smirked as he pulled two more from his pouch, jumping into the air as he released them. He noticed the normally gracefully Hyuuga was stumbling about the clearing clumsily. However, she was doing much better than he expected.
" Hinata," a lazy drawl filled the quiet clearing causing both shinobi to stop. Sasuke landed three feet behind Hinata, his stormy grey eyes narrowed to slits as he glared at the intruder. Hinata pulled the head band from around her eyes, allowing it to rest around her neck once more.
" Ah, Shikamaru. Is something wrong?" Hinata questioned as she met her second in command's coal black eyes. He nodded his head towards Temari, whom just entered the clearing behind her escort.
" Temari? I wasn't expecting you for another three weeks. Gaara said that is when he would be arriving to discuss the trading routes," Hinata commented, watching as her sharp teal eyes danced between here reserved friend to the Konoha traitor.
" He is, I came ahead of schedule for another reason," her grim tone instantly had every nerve in Hinata's body on alert.
" What's wrong?" Hinata's voice was curious, watching the serious look on her friend's face as Shikamaru stood off to the side, leaning his weight against the thick trunk of an old tree.
" Do you remember the child that has been under my protection, Kenji?" Temari questioned, watching as Hinata nodded her head.
" He was… I lost him," Temari finally broke down, the tears escaping the dam she had built. Hinata pulled her taller friend to her, allowing Temari to rest her forehead on the smaller woman's shoulder. Her presences alone was soothing to the older woman, yet her tears wouldn't stop.
" Where was he last seen?" Hinata questioned Shikamaru, his tense muscles betraying his relaxed pose.
" Leaf Highway, walking with Temari. They were ambushed, and the rogues took him. Tsunade informed me, since this was a personal matter I would have to wait for a direct order from my captain. However, she didn't say anything about requesting a good friend of mine to scout the area," Shikamaru spoke, his lazy drawl belying the turmoil he was truly feeling.
" Uchiha, do you mind cutting our training short?" Hinata requested, turning her head until she met the Uchiha's dark orbs.
" Whatever," was all he said. She offered a curt nod as she pulled Temari from her shoulders, holding the older woman by her elbows.
" Temari, I need you to calm down. I swear that we will find Kenji. I swear, nothing will happen to that boy," Hinata promised watching her friend nod her head, sand colored strands flying in every direction.
" Hinata," the indigo haired woman shook her head, efficiently silencing her friend as she led the three shinobi to the Hokage's tower to request the mission.
" Absolutely not," Tsunade answered, her voice firm as she glared at the lazy shadow user. He growled in frustration as he took a step away from her desk, glaring at the opposite wall.
" Lady Hokage, this is technically a Suna matter. However, seeing as Konoha are Suna's allies, and the fact that it happened right outside the gates I believe it is only fair that Konoha shin obi's help me," Temari pleaded, begging the older blonde for help. In all the years that Hinata has known Temari, she has never seen the woman cry or beg for anything. Tsunade exhaled an exhausted sigh, glancing around her large office.
" Hyuuga, you're incharge. Nara, fetch Uzumaki and Haruno, they will be helping their team," With that Tsunade dismissed the four teens from her office, watching as a smirk danced on the Uchiha's lips.
" Thank you, Hinata," Temari whispered, moving through the crowded village as Shikamaru left the girls and the former Avenger at the Tower's gates.
" I don't want anything to happen to Kenji, Temari. Everyone has grown to love him. Gaara and Ayane both consider him to be their nephew. The only thing truly stopping him from being named so is you. Have you decided on what you want to do with him?" Hinata questioned her friend, her soft voice causing Temari and Sasuke to glance at her.
" Yes, I have," Temari answered finally, squaring her shoulders.
" Naruto and Sakura will meet us at the Western Gate," Shikamaru's lazy drawl interrupted the conversation causing Temari to cock a perfectly arched eyebrow.
" I've never seen you move so fast in your life Nara. Does that mean you are actually worried?" Temari teased lightly, her only way of truly coping with the situation at hand.
Shikamaru only offered her a dry look as he lead the way towards the Western gate, his pace quick as he was eager to find the child his girlfriend had been raising for the past two years.
" Who is this kid?" Sasuke finally questioned causing Hinata to glance at him from the corner of her eye.
" Kenji was the only survivor of a village raid. He was two when Temari found him two years ago. He had witnessed all of the blood shed, watching as his family was killed before his eyes. Temari felt a bond with the child and offered to take him in herself. He has been under her protection for two years. The council of Suna has been awaiting word to see if she would adopt the child," Hinata explained as the large gates came into sight. At that Sasuke turned his gaze towards the sandy blonde kunoichi who's eyes were narrowed to slits.
" Well?" he questioned, watching her small fists clench at her sides.
" I plan on adopting him once we find him. Shikamaru, Hinata, please, let me deal with these rogues," Temari requested, watching as the shadow user as the former Hyuuga Heiress shared a look before Hinata nodded her consent.
" Do whatever you see fit, Temari. They ultimately kidnapped your son," Hinata spoke, watching as Shikamaru shook his head.
" I actually feel pity for these bastards. They should know better than to piss off the resident Wind Mistress. She's the Kazekage's sister," Shikamaru muttered, offering as half hearted wave to the hyperactive blonde shinobi and his pink haired companion.
" What's the urgent mission Shikamaru?" Sakura questioned, her jade colored eyes darting between Sasuke, Hinata, and the cold look that graced Temari's face.
" We have to track a group of rogue ninjas who kidnapped the Ambassador's child," Shikamaru answered, watching cerulean blue and jade green eyes dart to the angry blonde.
" Let's go," Temari commanded, launching herself into the tree tops. Hinata followed after her friend, knowing the others wouldn't be to far behind.
" Hinata? Could you see how far we are from them?" Temari requested quietly, surprising the rosette haired kunoichi who had fallen into step behind the other two girls.
" Of course," Temari watched the chakra filled veins around the Hyuuga's eyes throb as she concentrated on scanning meters ahead.
" Five meters and to our left. They made camp in a clearing. There are a total of twelve. They appear to be high level chuunin, low level jounin," Hinata answered, closing her eyes as her Byakugan deactivated. Temari nodded sharply, swallowing back her tears as she felt a large, warm hand grip hers. She wasn't paying attention to her surroundings like she should of, she never noticed Shikamaru fall into step beside her.
" Everything is going to be alright, Temari. Hinata swore so herself. Kenji will be fine," his lazy drawl soothed her, even if his words didn't. She only nodded, glancing over her shoulder to see Hinata's face twisted in concentration.
" Hyuuga?" Sasuke's deep voice caused the young woman to glance over her shoulder at her teammate.
" The chakra pressure dropped. I believe they are aware that we are on our way. We only have two more yards until we arrive at the clearing, from there, Temari will dispatch the Rogues," Hinata informed him, watching his brow furrow in thought.
" Something wrong Uchiha?" she questioned, watching as he met her pale gaze.
" Something doesn't feel right. Why would they kidnap this child? Especially if they know who his guardian is?" Sasuke spoke, watching Hinata shake her head.
" It's odd, however we won't know until we find them," she answered, turning her attention to the front once more.
Naruto and Sakura shared a look, confused as to why their childhood friend would be sharing information with the woman he never spoke to before two weeks ago. A voice drifted to the tree tops as the six shinobi stopped, listening intently to what was being said.
" My mama is going to kill you," Kenji's childish voice brought a smirk to Temari's lips as she drew her large metal fan.
" That woman won't lay a finger on us. You are our insurance of that," one rogue spoke, his grime covered hand gripping Kenji's cheeks. Temari growled, her anger barely contained.
" Temari, I believe it would be best if you didn't attack," Hinata spoke, causing the wind mistress and the shadow user to look at her. Shikamaru knew the look in Hinata's eyes, a smirk dancing on his lips as he placed his large hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. " Temari, I think Hinata has a point. You're emotional which makes you irrational. Let Naruto, Sakura, Uchiha, and Hinata deal with these scumbags," Shikamaru answered, watching Hinata shake her head.
" Shikamaru, we are going to need your help. Sakura, stay with Temari. I want you to check Kenji over once we retrieve him," Hinata answered, her tone of voice left no room for argument. Sakura nodded her pink head, moving closer to sit beside the older woman. Silence filled the clearing as the rogues tensed, filling the chakra pressure drop as the four shinobi made their presences' known.
" I believe you took someone that is under the protection of both Konoha and Suna," Shikamaru's lazy drawl caused each rogue to draw their weapons as they turned to face the shadow manipulator.
" Who the hell are you?" the ring leader spat, his black eyes narrowed to slits as he glared.
" Troublesome, but my name is Nara Shikamaru. You kidnapped my son," Shikamaru answered, anger coating his words as Hinata dropped beside her comrade.
" We are giving you two options. You can surrender and give us Kenji, the first, peaceful option. Or you can struggle which in turn will result in your deaths. You see, Temari, the elder sister to the Fifth Lord Kazekage, is very protective of this boy. She will kill you, and I am certain my teammate," at the word Sasuke all but materialized beside the young Hyuuga, " will gladly help her," she finished, her lavender colored eyes watching Naruto as he silently slinked through the crowd of rogues, his arms wrapping around the four year old boy.
None of the rogues saw the shadow that was silently and quickly connecting to their own. None noticed the stormy grey eyes the Uchiha possessed quickly bled to crimson. None noticed as the veins around the Hyuuga's eyes throbbed with chakra.
" Times up, second choice it is," Sasuke's rough voice announced as he unsheathed his katana. One of the shadows Shikamaru was manipulating slid up a man's body unitl it wrapped around his neck. Hinata launched herself at the closest rogue, her fingers strinking chakra points, her palms hitting vital organs. In the tree tops Kenji was crying as he clung to Temari, his small arms wrapped around her slender shoulders. Sakura silently checked him over, confirming there was no damage. The fight was over in a matter of minutes as the other three shinobi landed in the clearing.
The return to the village was done in silence as the six shinobi and child made their way to the Hokage's tower.
" Who is he?" Kenji's childish voice broke the tension as they climbed the twisting staircase. Temari glanced at who he was pointing to, looking towards Hinata for an answer.
" Ah, this is Naruto's brother, Sasuke," Hinata smiled softly at the young boy he turned his bright emerald eyes to the dark Uchiha.
" You don't look anything like Uncle Naruto," Kenji commented, watching the smirk quirk the corner of the Uchiha's lips.
" You look nothing like Temari or Nara," Sasuke counted, watching the child's stubborn chin set. He didn't argue his point further as he rested his cheek against Shikamaru's board shoulder.
Hinata shook her head as she fell into step beside the Uchiha, slowly thinking her words over.
" You shouldn't argue with a four year old," she commented finally, watching his thin eyebrow raise in question.
" And why is that?" He spoke, watching as the Hyuuga slid her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, the obvious sign of her thoughts.
" He was raised by Temari, the genius of Suna and Nara Shikamaru, the genius of Konoha. He will look at it from every angle and win," she answered with a lazy shrug as they entered the Hokage's office.
" I see the mission was a success," Tsunade commented, her cool amber eyes instantly falling on the young boy in Shikamaru's arms.
" Yes. I have a request I would like to make, Lady Hokage," Temari spoke, her voice hesitant as she watched her feet carefully. Tsunade nodded, dismissing the other four ninja from her office.
Hinata was the first one to leave, pulling open the heavy oaken doors to the Hokage's office. Sasuke followed after her, which caused Sakura to drag Naruto out of the office with her. Hinata was content with the silence that reigned over the four, however Sakura and Naruto weren't.
" Come get lunch with us Teme, Hinata," Naruto invited, watching the Uchiha glare at the man he considered his brothers. Hinata was the first to answer, shaking her head.
" I can't. I already agreed to get lunch with Neji and Tenten," Hinata answered, moving to separate from the group. She heard Sasuke's blunt 'No' as he disappeared. She only shook her head, enjoy the buzzing conversation that surrounded her from the vendors as she made her way towards her apartment.
" I didn't think the Hyuuga actually had it in her to lie to her friends," Sasuke's voice was a lazy drawl similar to her second in command's, yet his voice was rougher.
" It isn't a lie. I do have plans with Neji and Tenten. However, those aren't until dinner," she answered, offering a ghost of a smile as the Uchiha fell into step beside her.
" Tomorrow we're going to work on the new exercise, be prepared for an onslaught of weapons, Hyuuga," Sasuke's breath ghosted over her shoulder and ear as he moved closer to her, causing both shinobi to pause outside the apartment building, his large hands gripping her slender wrists. Hinata only smiled faintly as his hand shot in front of her to hold the door open for her.
Sasuke Uchiha certainly was someone she couldn't anticipate nor follow. He was unlike the other shinobi she had faced. He would be interesting to watch, that much she was certain.