Chapter 3: Hinata/Sasuke:
A/N: Here's another update. Same polls as last time are still in effect, thought the "Wave Arc or not?" Poll will close next chapter, unless I specifically state that it will be kept open.
Why did I do this again? It had all been on a whim – and a dangerous one at that. It was unlike him, to act so spontaneously. Uchihas were not spontaneous. They were cold, calm, calculating. They didn't do anything that did not benefit them. They didn't take foolish risks on a whim. But he had, and he did. The Uchiha compound wasn't well guarded, anyway – who could consider themselves strong enough to take on the Uchiha? It was simple enough to sneak out when one shift of Military Police came in, and another left.
Still, just because it was easy to sneak out didn't mean nobody would look for him. If Tou-San did so, and discovered he was not in the compound… Worse still, if he discovered why he was out here… There were few things that scared Sasuke, but Tou-San's anger was definitely amongst them. Despite that, there was something strangely satisfying about disobeying Uchiha Fugaku, and something even more so about winding up a certain high-and-mighty Hyuuga, a task he was more than capable at. His smile turned into a frown as a sudden breeze reminded him of the cold.
Cold air chafed Sasuke where his skin wasn't covered, and chilled him even where he had covered it. Autumns in Konoha were cold, especially at night, but he refused to wear more than he did normally. After all, neither Itachi nor Shisui wore more than standard ANBU uniform, no matter what the weather.
It only made them stronger, Tou-San said. Through conquering pain and discomfort, one could only become stronger. Besides, there was no way Sasuke would admit Itachi could do anything that he could not.
Kicking absently at the ground in front of him, he glared at the great carved slab of obsidian that jutted out of the ground. Carved into it, looking silver in the moonlight, were name after name, of those that had died in battle, in service to Konoha. There were a fair few Uchihas there, though only the last one was someone he remembered meeting.
Uncle Obito – the youngest brother of Fugaku. 'Died saving Hatake Kakashi and Inuzuka Rin in a skirmish with Iwa Jounin.' It was a shame; it was said that he had activated his Sharingan during the battle, and when Kakashi came back, it was with a two-tomoe Sharingan in place of his left eye. The Uchiha had raised hell – 'Sacrilege!' they cried. 'Dishonour!' They pretended to be bereaved, to want Obito's eye at least to lay to rest, even if his body eluded them. However, the Hyuuga were still whole at this time, and wanted nothing more than to humiliate the Uchiha, so voted against them.
Thus Kakashi was allowed to keep his eye, and whilst Uchihas fumed with anger, Hyuugas smiled. Who's smiling now? The Uchihas were unchallenged in power now – not even the Hokage could stop their wishes, but the Hyuugas… Sasuke had only been a child when it had happened, but he had rarely seen his father so happy. He had smiled and laughed and even danced, whilst Sasuke imitated him. Itachi and Shisui and even little Sasuke had been surrounded, congratulated and showered with presents, as if they were the ones that had done the deed. Then the adults had retired to Uncle Teuchi's house, whilst the children talked excitedly amongst themselves. At some point, he'd found himself next to Itachi, and asked the obvious question.
"Aniki, what's a massacre?" Sasuke could barely hold in his excitement. Tou-San had looked so happy, and all the Uchihas were laughing and singing and dancing. Massacres must be the best things on earth, if people celebrated so much! Even Itachi was smiling, his normally sharp eyes slightly unfocused. He was only eleven, but Tou-San was so proud of him for telling him about the massacre that he'd let him drink Sake, though he said Sasuke was still too young. Itachi had already had several cups, and his brow furrowed in thought as he tried to recall what the word actually meant.
"Well… Well…" Itachi's eyes lit up as he hit upon the meaning, then he glanced at his brother. Something inside him, some fragment not dulled by alcohol, told him that Fugaku and Mikoto would not want him to tell Sasuke what a massacre was, but… well, he asked! "A Massacre… I'll show you!" Sasuke had fairly squealed with excitement. He hadn't expected this at all!
Itachi led him outside, swaying slightly as he struggled to keep his balance, and Sasuke bounced along behind him as they made their way towards the Hyuuga compound. Sasuke already knew they were going there – it was obvious that that was where the massacre had happened. Was it like a party? Would there be other children there? He remembered meeting a couple of Hyuuga children about his age a few months ago – Hina… Hinata! That was her name, and the boy… Neji? They were like him, smiling happy children. That must mean they were excited about the massacre as well!
But there wasn't any music, or laughing, or singing when they reached the Hyuuga compound. It was silent, and there were no lights on at all.
"Aniki? Where's all the Hyuugas?" Sasuke looked around and frowned. Maybe they were in a house a bit further away? But Itachi was making his way over to a tent. Sasuke didn't like the look of it. If the Hyuugas were in there, and they were happy, wouldn't there be lights and music?
"They're in hic here, Sasuke."
"Are they sleeping, Aniki?" Itachi looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Yes… Yes they are…" he giggled, then lifted the tent-flap. There were shapes inside, covered with cloth. Sasuke inched inside, but he was feeling a bit scared now. After all, it was dark, and so very quiet, and none of the shapes looked like they were moving. Itachi put a hand on one of the cloth-covered shapes, then lifted it. Sasuke looked, and his eyes grew wide, and his hands flew to his mouth at the sight of the corpse – bloated from where Jyuuken strikes had caused flesh and muscle to swell ; eyes wide and staring; mouth open in a silent, endless scream.
"A-Aniki? Th-they… they don't look h-happy…"
"They're not, Ototou-baka. They're hic dead!" and Itachi laughed again, not a half-hearted giggle but a full-blown, roaring laugh, as he clutched his sides. He grabbed another sheet and threw it off, and this time it was a woman's corpse. Sasuke flinched back, as Itachi grabbed more and more, revealing more and more bodies.
"Dead! Dead! They're all dead! All the Hyuugas! All gone!" Itachi turned to Sasuke, a broad smile on his face, his eyes lucid and clear. "That's what a massacre is, Ototou. That's why we're celebrating."
They had gone back to the Uchiha compound in silence, but Sasuke could not stop shaking, and could not go to sleep for a week. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw swollen bloated bodies, silently screaming, and sweating blood.
Two days after, after trying to avoid Itachi for as long as possible, his big brother had cornered him. Sasuke thought he was going to massacre him, but all Itachi said was to tell nobody that he had been drunk. Then he had gone. No apologies, not even a flicker of doubt about his actions – Itachi didn't ever doubt, didn't ever regret what he did. Sasuke spat on the ground in front of him – Itachi had never spoken about that incident again. As far as he was concerned, it was over and done, and that was that. Never mind that he'd scarred his brother, that didn't concern him at all. He was glad he had parents – if he hadn't had Ka-San, he may still be having those nightmares now.
"Ka-San?" Sasuke liked those days when everyone was too busy to train with him. It meant he could stay close to his mother. Mikoto had retired from being an active shinobi when she gave birth to her first son, Itachi. Now, she cooked, and cleaned, and enjoyed gardening. She still kept in touch with her schoolfriends: Auntie Kurenai, and Auntie Yuugao, and Anko-Chan, who said she wasn't old enough to be an auntie. Ka-San said that when her children were full-grown she may become a ninja again, but Sasuke didn't know if it was that fun for her, if she'd given it up in the first place.
"Yes, Sasuke?" Mikoto smiled all the time; if not with her mouth then with her eyes, and Sasuke loved her eye-smile, when they curved up into little half-moons.
"I can't sleep anymore. Aniki gave me nightmares." He felt stupid, admitting weakness. If Tou-San had heard, he'd snort and say that 'nightmares are for the weak', and take him out to work on his stances. But Ka-San understood him. She stopped watering plants immediately, even though she loved her garden, because she loved him more. She came over to him, knelt, and wrapped her arms around him – gently, not too tight, but enough to make him feel secure. After a moment, he wrapped his arms around her too.
"Now, Sasuke, tell me about it." Sasuke did so, the whole thing, even the drunkenness, which Aniki told him not to tell. Ka-San listened, because she was good at listening. But she was even better at making him feel better. She took a hand and ruffled his hair, because she knew he liked that, and then she kissed him on the forehead, and when he looked up, he saw that she was smiling at him, with eyes and mouth.
"Now, Sasuke, we're safe here. There's nobody in the world that can hurt you in here, and do you know why?"
"Why?" Sasuke knew, of course. Nobody could hurt the Uchiha clan – they were elite!
"Because I love you, and I'd never, never ever let anyone hurt you." Sasuke looked into her eyes, and knew she was telling the truth.
"I love you too, Ka-San," he said, and tightened his grip, because even though he loved Tou-San, and Aniki, and Shisui-niisan, he loved Ka-San the most.
And just like that, he wasn't afraid anymore. Because Ka-San loved him, and she'd never let anyone hurt him – she'd promised!
Then, just as he didn't think he could get happier, he felt his hair get wet, and looked up in surprise. They were inside, there shouldn't be rain, and anyway it was a sunny day. What he saw horrified him. Ka-San, his Ka-San, was crying. What had he done?
"Ka-San? Ka-San! I'm sorry!" He could feel the tears coming to his eyes now, a burning sensation at the corners of his eyes. "I'm sorry! Please don't cry!" He didn't know what he'd done, but he just wanted it to stop
"Sasuke… Sasuke… It's not your fault… It's just… I love you, and you know I do, but…" He desperately didn't want her to continue. Whatever was going on was making her sad, and he didn't want that at all! "It's the Hyuugas…" He looked up, surprised, before remembering that she hadn't gone with Tou-San and the others to uncle Teuchi's house to celebrate the massacre.
"What? Why?"
"There are three of them left, Sasuke… But they don't have parents… They don't have anyone to love them." She released him from the hug, and clasped his little hands in hers. "Promise me, Sasuke. Promise me that you'll look after them. They need friends, those Hyuugas – they don't have anyone."
"I promise," Sasuke said, and he meant it. Of course he meant it, he meant everything he said to Ka-San.
"Good, good. I knew I could count on you, Sasuke. Why don't we go out, for Ramen, okay?" she wiped the tears from her face with the back of her sleeve, and smiled again, though only with her mouth. "When Itachi gets back, I'll have a talk with him, and you come see me straight away if he scares you, okay?"
"Hai, Ka-San!"
The next day, he tried to leave the compound, to go the Hyuuga residence, but Tou-San caught him, and asked what he was doing. When Sasuke explained, Tou-San got angry, and forbid him to leave the compound, and when Sasuke said that Ka-San made him promise, he got even angrier, and made Sasuke train with Itachi for the rest of the day. He didn't see Ka-San for a week, and when he did, she had horrible bruises over her face, and spoke in a hushed whisper. He didn't see his aunties Kurenai or Yuugao again either – they just stopped coming to the Uchiha compound, and when he saw Anko-Chan, she looked at him like she wanted to kill him. He hadn't realised what had had happened until he was ten, but the message had been stamped into him even then – even when they shut him in a dark room with a brother that knew, that just knew he had disobeyed him: Do what your Tou-San tells you.
He'd grown up quickly after that. It was easy, once he'd figured out that Ka-San had lied. They'd hurt him, and she couldn't protect him, no matter how much she loved him. The only thing that could protect him was himself, by being stronger than those that would hurt him. No amount of love could stop Tou-San's anger; after all, he'd almost killed his wife for trying to be kind to others. No amount of love could stop Itachi from being there, in the dark, making his little brother beg him to stop scaring him. No, the only way to stop them was to be stronger than they were. And he was nowhere near strong enough yet – not strong enough to stand up to Tou-San, and definitely not strong enough to stand up to Aniki, who everyone said was the strongest Uchiha seen in generations.
Then why was he here? If he was caught… It would make last time look as if he got off easily. Tou-San's punishments compared to Ka-San's promise… He sighed, breath coming out in a cloud, and turned to leave.
"I didn't think you'd be here." He stiffened as he heard the footsteps behind him, and turned to see the Hyuuga head glaring at him.
"Hinata-Chan," he said, and forced a smile onto his numbed lips.
"Hurry up and speak your piece, Uchiha. I can't spend all night here."
"Are you always this cold, Hinata-Chan?"
"To you, yes. Is that all?"
"Well, I was going to suggest a way out of the marriage…" She moved quickly, grabbing him by the collar.
"How?" she said, but her eyes burned with a thousand other statements, mostly the various ways she'd cause him pain if he was lying.
"Simple. You're the Hyuuga head, you decide, usually, who in the clan marries who, right?"
"Not this time, though. Not with the council against me. They'll force me to marry an Uchiha." She slumped slightly, and Sasuke grinned. She was just like him – she hated to lose.
"Then marry me," he said, and was only faintly surprised when she slapped him. The imprint of her hand left his cheek red, but he didn't cry out. She slapped him again, as if to prove her point.
"That's your plan? I remember what you said, about getting 'Itachi's leftovers'; is this just about you?" He looked into her eyes, and saw that it was truth.
"Are you always this stupid? This is the only way you'll get out of your marriage. Hell, I'm not happy about it either – I don't want to get married off just yet. This is… This is just the only way."
"Why? Why would you do this, if you don't want to?"
"It's a promise I made, that's all." He smiled inside at the crestfallen look on her face. That's right – I'm not doing this for you at all, this is for Ka-San. Then Hinata's face hardened.
"I refuse. I'll find my own way. I'm not going to be bound to any Uchihas. Especially not you."
"Fine. Don't say I never tried to help. I kept my promise. Just don't come crying to me when Itachi claims you, Hyuuga." He turned on his heel, trying hard to feel angry. Not that it was hard to be angry, it was just hard to feel enough anger to suppress the hollow feeling in his chest.
"Wait." He almost, almost didn't. He almost kept on going, but he didn't. He turned, met her accusing glare. "What was this promise?"
"The one I swore with my mother, to 'Look after the Hyuugas.' The promise that cost her everything. She wouldn't have done it, if she knew what a stuck-up bitch you'd turn out to be." Ka-San was worth more to me than you'll ever be.
"Your mother? I didn't need her pity…" She barely finished speaking before Sasuke vanished in a blur. One fist grabbed the front of her jumper, the other came back for a punch, which she knocked aside with her wrist, before activating her Byakugan.
"Fine. I won't take pity you. I've always wanted to see how I'd match up against a Hyuuga. How's this for a deal – I win, and you go with my plan."
"And if you lose?" Hinata could not keep the smile off her face. Finally! She could finally give the Uchiha the beating she'd wanted to for so long.
"If I lose… I'll refuse to marry Hanabi, so the whole betrothal will be cancelled." Tou-San will be furious, of course.
"Deal," Hinata said, and sent a Jyuuken strike towards his chest, aiming for the tenketsu. He dodged aside, smiling widely now, and sent a forearm strike towards her face. She ducked under it, and struck again, this time aiming for a leg. If I can hit that, he'll be unable to dodge the rest of my blows.
"Too slow, Hinata-Chan," he called, as he jumped, and formed some hand-seals.
"Bunshin no Jutsu," he said, and three copies of him appeared – Hinata grinned. It was easy to see which of them was the real Sasuke – it had so much more chakra than these Bunshins. Before they even landed, she had begun her next attack, and this time it hit, and sealed one of the tenketsu in Sasuke's right arm. He flinched, allowing her to seal another, and another, and then he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Kawarimi! She turned in time to see his punch collide with her cheek, and then he swept her legs from under her with a kick.
She landed heavily, and Sasuke flexed his arm, wincing.
"Nice trick, Hinata-Chan, but it ends here." He took a kunai from his pouch, spinning it around his finger, and then made as if to strike.
"That is enough. You will not hurt Hinata-Sama." Neji spoke quietly, but forcefully as he grabbed Sasuke's wrist with one hand, making sure his index finger was close to a major vein. If he used Jyuuken, Sasuke could very well bleed to death.
"Bastard! I don't need your help, either!" The Hyuuga head was splitting her venomous glares between the Uchiha and her cousin, and it was unclear which of the two she hated more.
"Forgive me, Hinata-Sama. Hanabi was asleep and you were not at home. I believed that you may have been in serious trouble, so I came to assist. It is expected for Hyuugas to come to the aid of the Clan head."
"Let go of me, you Hyuuga prick, or I'll break your fucking arm. This is between me and her," Sasuke hissed, and then his eyebrows rose in surprise. He saw what looked like a ghostly outline of the Hyuuga tilting his head, a second before he actually did so. Sharingan clashed with Byakugan, as the two prepared to fight.
"I will not allow you to harm Hinata-Sama," Neji repeated calmly. "You may be the top rookie of your year, but I am the top rookie of mi-" he was cut off as a kunai poked his throat.
"If we are here to discuss such matters, I graduated at the age of six," drawled Itachi. "I became an ANBU captain when I was eleven. I was dragged out of bed whilst comfortable, to search in the cold and dark for my brother. I am rather annoyed by this." His Sharingan eyes spun. "Do not provoke me further, Hyuuga-San. Release my brother, so that we may go home…" he paused as he felt a pair of fingers poke him in the chest, and he transferred his annoyed glare to Hinata, who had a hand ready to deliver a Jyuuken strike. "Is that any way to treat your future husband, Hyuuga-San?"
"Shut up. Let Neji go first."
"How bothersome." Itachi made some quick seals with his other hand, and both Neji and Hinata's eyes widened as the chakra in the ANBU grew rapidly.
"Bakuretsu!" Neji said, and, grabbing Hinata and Sasuke, jumped into the air as the Kage Bunshin of Itachi blew up. As he landed, another Itachi placed a kunai by his throat, and one appeared behind both Hinata and Sasuke.
"This tires me. Sasuke, let's go. I wish to sleep, Tou-San wishes to speak to you, and both will be achieved sooner the sooner we return to the compound." Sasuke sent his brother a pointed glare, his single-tomoe Sharingan met by his brother's fully-developed eyes. He was still stronger.
"Hai," he muttered sullenly, not sparing a single glance at the Hyuuga pair as he followed the dark shape of his brother, and tried so very hard not to think of what Tou-San would do when he discovered he'd been meeting with Hyuugas.
--
"I didn't need you." In the eerie quiet of night, the words cut through the air like a sword.
"I know, Hinata-Sama." Neji was maintaining a small distance between himself and Hinata, far enough so that she didn't feel crowded, near enough so that she didn't feel he was trying to avoid her. He had perfected this years ago.
"I can look after myself."
"I know, Hinata-Sama." They both knew that Sasuke would have beaten her, and may perhaps have even been a match for Neji, a fight they would both love to see.
"I'd have killed Itachi if it wasn't a Bunshin. I'd have done it, you know. I wasn't bluffing."
"I know, Hinata-Sama." They both knew that Itachi was no joke. If Hinata had tried to strike him, she would have had both arms broken. There was something… off about the Uchiha prodigy, the same way Hokage-Sama said there had always been something off with his former pupil Orochimaru. Was it the fate of geniuses to flirt with madness?
"I don't even know why I'm going with you. I can't sleep tonight."
"I know, Hinata-Sama." That was the closest he'd get to a 'thank you' from her, but it was enough.
"Is Hanabi alright?"
"I kn-… she is fine, Hinata-Sama."
"I knew you were daydreaming, Neji. Did our… guests arrive?"
"No. Perhaps the Uchiha only meant to announce their plans tomorrow, and Sasuke let them slip early. However, due to the actions of tonight, things may change."
"Did you… approve of what I did, Neji?" That question threw him off-balance. Hinata never asked for his approval. She had made it clear she couldn't care less of what he thought of her actions, so long as he acknowledged she was the Hyuuga head.
"They were not so terrible, Hinata-Sama," he said – the closest thing she'd get to an 'I'd have done the same thing.' Hinata smiled faintly, watching the back of her cousin's head as they acted out this pantomime again. Come tomorrow, she would have no more need of him – and the thought both pleased her, and, unexplainably, terrified her.
--
"What were you thinking!?" Fugaku slammed both palms down on his desk, and glared at Sasuke. In a corner, Itachi yawned.
"I did what I needed to, Tou-San." Sasuke refused to look into his eyes.
"You jeopardised our plans, boy. You… Is this your mother's promise again? Mikoto!" he barked the last word, and slowly, Uchiha Mikoto entered into the room, and bowed.
"Hai, Fugaku-Sama?" Already she was shaking.
"She had nothing to do with this!" Sasuke leapt to his feet, panic for a moment rising to the surface. Fugaku paused, then looked at Sasuke closely.
"You admit sole responsibility for this, son?"
"Hai, Tou-San," Sasuke replied, trying not to tremble.
"Very well. Itachi, Sasuke will be training through the night. You will supervise." Itachi glared.
"I wanted to sleep. I have a mission in the morning."
"Well, you know who to blame." Fugaku's ever-present frown was still on his face, even as he smiled.
"Fugaku-Sama, perhaps…"
"Be silent, Mikoto. You always were too soft. Itachi, Sasuke, go." He waved the two brothers off, and Sasuke avoided looking at Itachi, though he could feel his brother burning a hole in his back with his glare.
"Ototou." Sasuke froze as Itachi spoke to him, and turned to face him. Itachi only called him 'little brother' when he was really angry with him. That meant nightmares, and this time Ka-San wouldn't be there to soothe them away.
"Hai, Aniki?" Sasuke tried to keep the tremor from his voice.
"Explain to me why you tried to steal my wife." Itachi's tone was dead, as always. Sasuke smiled.
"Because you don't deserve her. You don't deserve anything." Itachi silently considered this.
"You hate me." It wasn't a question, and Sasuke snorted.
"For a genius, you're pretty slow, Aniki." He mustered as much disgust as he could into his glare.
"You hate me, and you hate Fugaku. Why do you stay here?"
That question made him pause.
"I can't leave Ka-San here with you bastards," he decided. I won't leave until Ka-San does, and she still loves you, even though you don't deserve it.
"So it is your bonds that give you strength? It is not your feelings? If so, then why were you prepared to fight Hinata, over words?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"What are you doing, Itachi? What is this?" Another silence, then Itachi yawned again.
"I have missed out on two hours of sleep, Ototou. I do not intend to miss out on any more."
"Then you'll let me go?" Sasuke was genuinely surprised. He'd expected a gruelling 'sparring session', where Itachi kicked the shit out of him until he couldn't stand, then kept kicking him until the sun rose, lecturing him on his weaknesses.
"You are more like me than you will ever care to admit. I am also more like you than I am comfortable with. Perhaps… It will be interesting to watch your growth. Goodnight, Ototou."
Saying no more, he turned on his heel and stalked towards his room, leaving Sasuke more confused than ever.
--
Breakfast was a simple affair for the Hyuugas – cereal and milk for Hanabi, who loved sugar and would not give it up, despite the admonitions of her adored cousin. Hinata and Neji had a rather more wholesome array of fruit, from the garden that they occasionally still tended to. Hikari, like many other noble woman, had enjoyed gardening immensely, and though it was mostly herbs that she grew, there was a spot in the Hyuuga compound that had a whole host of different fruit-bearing trees.
"Aneki, are you getting your team today?" Hanabi kicked her slippered feet under the table and looked thoughtfully at Hinata. Quite frankly, the Hyuuga head looked a mess. Lack of sleep had darkened the area around her eyes, and her hair was dishevelled from training. Despite that, and the baleful glare she gave her little sister, when Hanabi was interested in something, she would not be persuaded to drop it. Neji chuckled quietly, covering it up with a cough.
"Yes, I am." Hinata refrained from asking why, knowing that Hanabi would then feel obligated to launch into a speech about her current life in the Academy. Hopefully, she wouldn't do so anyway.
Hope failed Hinata then, as Hanabi smiled.
"That's good, 'cause Suzume-Sensei talked to us about teams in the Academy today. She says that kunoichi should be put on teams together, but then Udon-Kun said all the best teams had two men and a girl, like the Sannin, or Yondaime-Sama's team. Then Konohamaru-Kun said that he'd want two girls on his team, so he could share them, and Suzume-Sensei hit him with a book!" she fell into a giggling fit at that, whilst Neji continued his coughing – not at Konohamaru's predicament, but at the fact that Hinata seemed ready to burst. He pitied the two that would be put on her team.
"Oh?" he said, as Hinata glared at him for his 'coughing'. "Last I heard, Suzume-San was only teaching kunoichi how to be good wives."
"She said that she did, but that a couple of girls made her change her mind, and she looked at me when she said that. Did I do something, Neji-niisan?"
"No," Neji said, and didn't try to hide his smile this time. "I think I know the two kunoichi that convinced Suzume-San otherwise. Do you, Hinata-Sama?"
"I'm going to the Academy. I need to see who's in my team."
"Wait, Aneki! I need to come too! Suzume-Sensei says I'm one of the best of the class!" Hanabi chased after her sister, and Neji waited a moment, before deciding that he would want to see Hinata's team, and her reaction to it.
--
The classroom was once again almost empty when Hinata got there. The only people already here was Aburame Shino, who matched her grunted hello, before turning his attention to a spider, and began to make it move with the force of his will. Clearly, by the effort it was taking, it seemed that arachnids had a higher resistance to Aburame techniques than insects did. Hinata took her usual seat, secretly hoping that Sasuke sat next to her again. She'd love to Jyuuken him to death right about now.
One by one, the other members of the class trickled in, their Hitai-ate worn proudly and in plain sight, though not necessarily on their foreheads. Her heart clenched a little when Sasuke walked in, but he seemed to be almost in a daze, and toppled into a seat near the front, next to Naruto, who looked at him suspiciously, and moved a finger to poke him before the Uchiha caught his arm.
Wait a moment… Why was Naruto here? He had a Hitai-ate in place of his goggles, and it seemed to be genuine enough. He was soon engaged in loud conversation with Shikamaru, who seemed convinced it was a fake, since Naruto hadn't passed the exams. In the end, a combination of loud yelling and frantic arm-waving got the best of the Nara, who decided it was 'too troublesome' and took a nap.
"Ne, Hinata?" Hinata glanced at the voice, which belonged to Yamanaka Ino. The blonde kunoichi was kneeling on her seat, and had an almost conspiratorial smile on her face. "So… yesterday, what did you do to Sasuke-Kun? D'you have any tips for me?" Hinata blinked, wondering if the girl was serious. Or was she just so desperate for Sasuke that she'd even ask her if she had any 'tips'?
"Yeah, yeah. We saw him talking to you, and Ino-Pig said she could see him whisper for you to meet him somewhere." The pink-haired Haruno joined her sometime-friend sometime-rival, genuinely curious.
"Forehead-girl can't read lips, can you believe that? What a sorry excuse for a kunoichi, huh, Hinata?"
"Sorry excuse? You're just mad I beat you in the written test, Ino-Pig."
"Mad? Hardly. Real ninja don't get judged by how much they read textbooks, forehead-girl. You're lucky they don't get judged by the size of their heads, either."
"Care to repeat that, Ino-Pig?"
"Sure thing, Forehead-girl!" The two began squabbling amongst themselves, completely forgetting what they had been here for in the first place. Hinata groaned, and willed for Iruka to come through the door. For once, Fate seemed to be on her side.
"Sorry I'm late, class!" he said, as he entered the classroom, though he didn't have his normal half-serious face. This time, he looked more than a little sad.
"Oi, Iruka, what's wrong? Akamaru says you smell like… a bitch that just lost her pups." Kiba had the phenomenal senses of an Inuzuka. Pity that he lacked common sense.
"Thanks for that, Kiba," Iruka said sarcastically, but his face returned to its depressed state. "Mizuki was arrested and executed yesterday, for high treason. He was on my Genin team." The whole class fell silent at that. How bad must Iruka be feeling, to have someone he knew from his school days show that he didn't know them at all?
"Sorry, Iruka-Sensei," Kiba said, blood drained from his face.
"No, no, it's fine, Kiba. Let's get started on the teams. There's only nine graduates, so there'll only be three teams. Teams 1 through 6 are still in service from previous years, so we'll start with Team 7: Hyuuga Hinata," Hinata perked up at this. This would be one of the most important days of the rest of her life. "Uzumaki Naruto," Iruka continued, and Hinata drooped slightly.
"Yatta! Did you hear that, Hinata? We're going to be on the same team!"
"That's enough, Naruto. The final member of Team 7 is… Uchiha Sasuke." All three Genin froze, and Sasuke's fanclub groaned in dismay.
"What? Sasuke-Teme? Why, Iruka-Sensei?" Naruto jumped onto the teacher's desk. Sasuke… He may be a bastard, but he is top of the class. Focus, Hinata, focus – better team-mates will make you stronger, and you need to be strong. Even Naruto can become strong if we get the right teacher – he's determined enough!
"Sorry, Naruto – Hokage-Sama asked for this specifically. Your Jounin-Sensei will be Hatake Kakashi."
An image of the lazy ANBU member flitted into Hinata's mind, specifically, one of him reading one of his little orange books and waving cheerily. Shit.
"No way. No fucking way. First you stick me with the Dobe and 'Lady Gloom' and then him as a Sensei? No fucking way I'm sticking with this team." Sasuke stood to leave, but froze, then sank back down into his seat as Iruka spoke.
"Are you sure? Fugaku-San recommended Kakashi-San as the perfect sensei for you. Hokage-Sama had to work hard to convince him to take you on – he doesn't seem to like Uchihas much. Anyway, Team 8: Aburame Shino, Haruno Sakura and Inuzuka Kiba. Your Jounin-Sensei will be Yuuhi Kurenai…"
Hinata droned out the rest of Iruka's words. Why? Why them? Naruto was bad enough – the boy didn't have any manners, his skills were negligible, and the only reason he'd stayed on this long was by his own thick-headed determination. As if that wasn't enough, there was Uchiha Sasuke She glared into the back of his skull, and made a mental note to see the Hokage about this particular outrage. She sighed angrily. She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was someone, somewhere, who was laughing at her.
"… Your Jounin-Sensei will be Sarutobi Asuma, and that's the last of the teams done. We'll have a lunch break now – you should probably take this time to get to know your team-mates better." Iruka smiled, then beat a hasty retreat from the classroom. Slowly, the Genin filtered out, until Team 7 were the only ones left. Naruto looked between the Uchiha and the Hyuuga, then moved from his seat, to come closer to Hinata.
"Ohayo, Hinata!" he said brightly, ignoring her silent warning. "Since we're in a team, we should get to know each other better, right? Besides… we don't need Sasuke-Teme; we can be a great team just by ourselves!"
"Yeah, right. The Dobe and the Hyuuga. Get on like a house on fire."
"Shut up, both of you." Hinata made some quick seals. "Shunshin no Jutsu." A puff of smoke later, and she was at the front of the class. "I'm going to have lunch away from the both of you." Then she left, and Naruto blinked in confusion.
--
If only Tenten was here… She could stand Tenten being nearby – even if she was as depressingly excited as Naruto, she at least at Hinata's respect as a kunoichi. Besides which, she knew when it was best not to say anything at all, a skill that Naruto lacked.
"You can come out now, Uchiha Sasuke." The Uchiha detached himself from the shadows where he had been hiding, and scowled, hands in pockets. "What do you want? I'm not going through with your plan – the fight was a draw." If Neji hadn't come… she shuddered. If Neji hadn't come, she'd be his wife right now.
"Well, we're stuck together. You don't like me, and I don't particularly like you, but we'll be stuck as Genin for a long time if we don't work together, and that's something neither of us want."
"So? I already knew this, Sasuke." His eyes narrowed, and he muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
"Are you always this obstinate, Hinata? We need to work together – we need to know each other. I had the 'talk' with Shino as well. 'The shinobi involved should know each other well for maximum effectiveness, as there will be few opportunities for safe communication. They should be able to read their comrades' movements and expressions and realise how best to support them from that.'" He put on a disturbing likeness of the Aburame's deep voice and snorted. "What we don't need is Uzumaki bothering us. I've got to surpass Itachi, you've got to surpass Hizashi, and we don't need some orange-wearing idiot keeping us back."
"Perhaps…" Naruto might become strong, if Kakashi deigned to teach him, but Sasuke would be strong, no matter what. Though it hurt her to admit it, he was with Neji in the 'Genin that were definitely stronger than her' category. "… Perhaps that would be for the best." After all, she may feel sorry for Naruto not having parents, but Hizashi came first – always came first – and she needed to focus on him, and the quickest route to becoming strong enough to defeat him.
"Good," Sasuke sighed. "I knew you'd be smart enough to see, Hinata. Uzumaki's got no future."
Hinata felt a slight Chakra flare, and stiffened, activating her Byakugan. Just out of eyesight – around a corner, there was a ninja racing away, and even in monochrome she could tell exactly who that outfit belonged to.
"Naruto…" she whispered, and could not explain away the feeling inside her that she'd fucked up, big time.
--
The classroom was silent, and only four people remained in it. The new Ino-Shika-Cho trio had just left with Sarutobi Asuma, and now only Team 7 and Iruka were left. Nobody felt like speaking. Iruka was obviously still thinking of Mizuki, whilst none of the members of Team 7 had anything to say to one another.
How exactly could you tell your team-mate that you hadn't meant to call him weak, and agree to exclude him, but you just hadn't thought he would be able to help you in the future? Hinata could barely look at Naruto now, still seeing that terrible, almost heartbroken expression as he heard her agree with Sasuke to basically cut him out of their lives.
Get a grip. He is weak, and you are strong. This is for the best.
Iruka sighed, then looked at his clipboard.
"Sorry guys, but your sensei is notorious for being late. He could take up to another hour getting here."
Of course. He'd only shown up as the designated sensei of her and Tenten three lessons after he was assigned to them.
Iruka didn't reply to the stony silence of the three Genin, though he frowned a bit at the fact that the normally talkative Naruto was just as quiet as the other two. The clock ticked by, second by second, minute by minute, and after ten minutes, Iruka gave up.
"Sorry guys, but I've got to go. I wish you the best of luck with your Jounin-Sensei." He gave a weak smile, then left. Nobody reacted.
Time kept crawling by, agonisingly slowly. Naruto had begun to pace, whilst Sasuke was throwing kunai at the fold-out poster that Iruka had used to show a human's vital areas. He had hit the heart three times, the head twice, and none of his throws had not landed anywhere that would not cause massive internal damage.
Hinata almost jumped when the door finally creaked open.
"My, my… sorry I'm late… I broke a mirror, and had to see a priest to remove the bad luck…" Kakashi said, and did his eye-smile, before opening his eye to see three glares. He sighed. An Uchiha and a Hyuuga, great. Two stuck-up, noble-born brats. Throw in a Jinchuuriki, and you had the most controversial team since they stuck an eight-year old Itachi with Morino Ibiki and a very, very hesitant Kakashi.
"Well… I'll talk with you on the roof – may be you just need some fresh air… Oh, and lose that attitude along the way, okay?" he smiled again, then used Shunshin to disappear. He'd have a headache with these brats – he was really looking forward to failing them, consequences be damned.
--
When the three Genin trudged up the stairs to the roof of the Academy, Kakashi was already balancing, one-legged, on a pole, whilst reading his Icha, Icha book.
"Okay then – let's start this off with some introductions. I want your name, likes, dislikes and dreams. Uchiha, you first."
Sasuke scowled.
"You go first. You're the sensei," he said, and Kakashi sighed, without looking up from his book.
"I'm Hatake Kakashi. I like… some things… and dislike… other things. You don't need to hear my dream… Right! Now you go!" He really seemed to believe that his response deserved something other than annoyed glares.
"Fine then. I'm Uchiha Sasuke. My likes are training, and my dislikes are those that do not take being a shinobi seriously." Or hurt those precious to me, he thought, but he wasn't going to admit that to the others. "My dream is to surpass my brother, and become the head of the Uchiha clan."
"Uh-huh…" Kakashi said, leading the Genin to question whether he'd actually listened to what Sasuke had said. "Blondie, you go next."
"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said, in a more subdued tone than normal. "I like Ramen, training, and… the few people in this village that I can count as friends. I dislike those that hurt my friends and…" he curled his lip. "Stuck-up team-mates," making a point not to look at either Sasuke or Hinata. "and my dream is to become Hokage."
"Hmm? Hyuuga, you go last."
"Hyuuga Hinata. I don't have many likes, or dislikes, but my dream is to kill my uncle, for what he did to my family."
"Yeah, same as last time… Well, now that that's out of the way, come to training area 42. I have a challenge for you, to see whether or not you deserve to be Genin." He used Shunshin again, and the three Genin immediately stood, not talking to one another, as they made their way towards training area 42. It wasn't hard to find – the Forest of Death loomed quite close to it, but it was considered a Chuunin-Level training area, at least. What are you planning, Kakashi-Sensei? Hinata thought.
--
It became clear when they reached the training area.
"This… is an obstacle course. Not your everyday one – there are obstacles here that will challenge you mentally, as well as physically." Kakashi smiled, and indicated the massive structure. "If one person in your team cannot complete the course, everyone fails! Keep alert, and work together, or you may just die! Now… go!" He brought his arm down, and the three Genin scampered into the giant building, before freezing at the complexity of it.
"Heh. Sooner this is done, sooner I can go home," Naruto said, and began to run forward. Hinata flinched for a moment, then dashed after him, and tackled him to the ground.
"Hey! What're you doing, Hyuuga-Teme?!"
"Baka! You were about to run into a trip-wire!" She stood up, face contorted by Byakugan-veins. "Step where I step," she hissed, and began to tread a path through the assortment of trip-wires. Some seemed to be connected to trap-doors, whilst others would simply cause a great weight to drop on them. She quickly glanced behind her, without turning her head, and saw Naruto looking a bit sheepish, whilst Sasuke had the same smug expression he usually carried. When they were clear, Hinata sighed, then glared at Naruto. "Let me go first," she said. There were trip-wires everywhere, in such patterns that she had to contort her body in order to avoid them – a feat that she noted Sasuke and especially Naruto had problems replicating. However, she made the mistake most did in such a situation they believed they had under control. She underestimated the course, and as she stepped over another wire, she put her foot on a patch of ground that shifted under her weight. Before she could say "shit," a trap-door opened underneath her, and she would have fallen if Sasuke had not caught her wrists. However, he would have fallen, if it wasn't for Naruto grabbing hold of his ankles.
So they lay there, one person on the edge of the pit, two hanging precariously within it, and Naruto was, slowly, slipping further over the edge.
"Dammit!" he said, as he tried, unsuccessfully, to pull them up again.
"Great job, Hinata! You're as useless as Uzumaki!" Sasuke snarled.
"Shut up, Teme!"
"Or what, Dobe? You going to let us go, and fail the exam?"
"No… I'll just beat you to a pulp once I bring you up here!" Naruto said, then heaved again. Amazingly, inexplicably, this time he had the necessary force behind it, and lifted the both of them up, slowly, painfully, inch-by-inch over the edge of the pit. Once he had, he collapsed, gasping in lungfulls of air.
"How… How did you do that?"
"Heh. That's… my strength, Hyuuga-Teme." Somehow, the name stung, though Hinata knew she didn't care if Naruto hated her. "When those… people precious to me are in danger, I get enough strength to do anything. And right here, right now… You two are precious, 'cause I need to pass this test, and become Hokage." Hinata tried not to look surprised. That couldn't be. He must be lying. Otherwise, the Hyuugas would have beaten Hizashi… But still… There was no way he could have pulled them up by himself…
"Bullshit," Sasuke said, but didn't elaborate. He was busy studying the next trap. This time, the trip-wires were visible, even to those without the enhanced sight of the Byakugan. Even so, Hinata activated her Byakugan, and her heart sunk. There was no way… no way any of them could get through that without setting off at least one trap.
"This is… impossible," she conceded.
"Yeah… I know…" All three Genin turned, and saw Kakashi standing on the ceiling.
"Where did you come from!?" Naruto shouted.
"Hmm? I did the exercise backwards… Upside down as well… It was too easy. Anyway, I hoped I'd find you here… See, this is the mental part of the test I told you about. You're not going to get through there without setting off a trap, so the question is… Who do you sacrifice so that the other two can get through?"
"Naruto. You're the Dobe, you're the weak link. We don't need you." Naruto opened his mouth to argue, then looked at Hinata. Why me? What do you want from me? He twitched, then turned to go.
"Fine… I'll do it. Just tell me where you want the opening."
"Wait." Both Naruto and Sasuke turned around, shocked, when Hinata spoke up. "Sasuke, you don't care about this team. Naruto cares about us, that's why he risked his life to save us…" part of her screamed Hizashi, but she ignored it. "I care about this team, too, but you don't. You'd have us throw away someone based on their strength, but it's the strength of the team that will be tested, not the individual. You sacrifice yourself, so that our team can survive."
"Fuck. No." Sasuke said, eyes narrowed. "You're not as high-and-mighty as you want us to think, Hyuuga. I know the only thing you want is Hizashi – you'd sacrifice any of us just so long as it isn't you."
"Oh, really?" Neither of the two Genin noticed Naruto, so intent upon their argument as they were. The blonde Genin was storming towards Kakashi, or, well… under him.
"This is bullshit!" he roared at the Jounin. "We're a team, just like Hinata said! Teams don't give up their members! That's not what Ninja do!"
"That… is completely correct, Naruto. You pass!" Kakashi smiled, and dropped from the ceiling, landing next to a stunned Naruto and patting him on the head. "You two…" he indicated Sasuke and Hinata, "should follow Naruto a bit more. He could be the strongest one here. Now… how about dinner? Naruto's choice, and I'll pay for it." Naruto's eyes widened and he grinned as much as possible, whilst Sasuke glowered.
--
There was only one place on Earth Naruto would contemplate buying dinner, and so Team 7 found itself outside Ichiraku's, whilst Naruto ordered ten bowls of every-flavour-ramen, whilst Kakashi began to regret offering to pay for it. Hinata and Sasuke stuck to a more modest bowl or two each, and all three Genin, along with Ayame, smiled when Kakashi confessed he didn't have enough money, so was ordered to the back to wash dishes by Ichiraku Teuchi. The sight of the Jounin having to put on an apron and do chores had Naruto laughing uncontrollably. Sasuke, already pissed off from the results of training, snapped.
"Oi, Dobe. Fight me."
"Huh? Why, Sasuke?" Naruto was in such a good mood, he even dropped the –Teme he usually placed after Sasuke's name.
"Kakashi said you were the strongest on the team. I want to prove it otherwise."
"Perhaps…" Hinata knew what the result would be if Naruto fought Sasuke. Determination only took you so far.
"Be quiet, Hinata. I already beat you." Neither of them expected the dark look that Naruto's face took on.
"You… beat Hinata? Let's go, Teme. I'll stomp you into the ground." The two went at it, then and there, in front of the Ramen stand, brawling in the street like common thugs, not shinobi at all. Though Naruto had the early advantage, catching Sasuke by surprise and nailing him hard in the face with a right-hook, Sasuke was clearly on top now. He was too quick! He dodged Naruto's clumsy blows, then snapped a kick into his chest, before catching him by the collar and pulling him into a hard knee-strike to the same part of his chest. Naruto coughed blood, and Sasuke dropped him.
"You're pathetic, Dobe. Even Hyuuga put up more of a fight than this."
"Shut up!" Naruto leapt to his feet, throwing a flurry of punches and kicks. Sasuke knocked them aside, and threw Naruto into a wall, but Naruto sprung off, and used the momentum to knock the Uchiha to the floor, where he straddled him and threw punches at his face. Sasuke caught both fists, and got his feet under Naruto's stomach, before rolling back and catapulting Naruto into the side of a house. This time, Naruto hit it head-first, and slumped to the floor. Sasuke stood, smiling, though he had clearly been winded by Naruto's surprise attack. Naruto slowly stood again, swaying slightly, then he snarled.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" he called, and made the Ram seal. Five copies of him appeared, and rushed Sasuke, who dodged the first few blows, but was then punched in the shoulder. Smiling, he grabbed what he thought to be the real Naruto and punched him in the face, only for his target to disappear.
What?! Bunshins with solid forms!?" Hinata used Byakugan, and saw that, unlike Sasuke's Bunshins, these Kage Bunshins all had equal chakra reserves, and she gasped when she saw just how extensive they were… far beyond her own, or Sasuke's. A single Kage Bunshin had almost as much Chakra as she did, and that was just a fraction of Naruto's as a whole.
Sasuke got serious now, activating his Sharingan, and defeating the rest of the Bunshins with ease. Naruto grimaced, put his hands together. Sasuke did the same.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" both boys said, and Naruto created another five, whilst Sasuke made two. However, the chakra in Sasuke's was much lower. Hinata gasped aloud. Naruto could win this! Naruto may be able to succeed where she failed! Part of her was almost excited, whilst part of her sulked – there may be another addition to the 'Genin stronger than her' list.
Both of the boys charged each other, with two Narutos for every Sasuke, and within moments, their combat was concealed by the smoke from defeated Kage Bunshins.
"They're pretty good… Aren't they, Hinata?" She glanced to her left, seeing Kakashi leaning on the counter, watching with his Sharingan eye. "Sasuke is more skilled, but Naruto's chakra reserves… They're phenomenal for a boy his age… Oh, it's over…"
Hinata snapped back, and drooped as Sasuke stood tall over Naruto, smiling.
"Who's the strongest now, Sensei?" he said, but stopped, and looked down, annoyed, as Naruto grabbed a hold of his leg.
"Not done yet… Teme," he gurgled.
"What? Why are you too stupid to know when you're beat?" Sasuke kicked Naruto off.
"It's… my way of the ninja… Teme… I'll never give up!" he staggered to his feet again. Through the pain, through everything, he still keeps on going. What is he?
"Then I'll just have to make you," Sasuke sneered, and delivered another kick, to the side of Naruto's head, dropping him like a log.
"Sasuke…"
"What, Hinata?" Sasuke said, turning around, annoyed that he was being interrupted in his moment of triumph.
"You're in range for my attack. Hakke Rokujuuyon Shou!" Sasuke had just enough time for his eyes to widen, before the first strikes caught him in the arms and legs, rendering him unable to dodge. Again and again, Hinata struck, until his tenketsu were all sealed.
"Fucking… Hyuuga… Bitch…" he gasped.
"We're a team, Sasuke. You hurt Naruto, I'll hurt you. I know he'd do the same if you hurt me," she said, gesturing to the unconscious Uzumaki. "Same thing – if someone hurts you, we'll beat their sorry ass into the ground. We don't have to like each other, but we will look out for one another. Agreed?" A moment of silence, and then Sasuke laughed despite the pain.
"Fine," he said. "You two took me by surprise, anyway. Just so you know."
"Ah, so you admit defeat?" Hinata almost smiled, almost. Not quite, though – they were comrades, Naruto and Sasuke, but not friends – not yet.
In Ichiraku's ramen stand, Kakashi sighed. These three were definitely going to give him a headache… and he was stuck with them now.
"Oi, you! Back to work!" He sighed again, and went back to washing dishes.
A/N:
So, there's another chapter done. The first half was almost entirely unplanned. - I really didn't mean to give Sasuke that much screentime, but... well, it fit. Same with the four-way staredown, which was originally just Neji coming to escort Hinata home.
As always, reviews are encouraged. Next chapter should be out hopefully next week-end, but I suck at deadlines. It'll probably be Neji-centric, since he's taken a rather supporting character role at the moment.
Edit: Knew there was something I forgot! The obstacle course idea was taken from the Naruto AntiWriter's Block Party Forum: Check it out - it will help you greatly.