Disclaimer: I keep forgetting. So, I don't have any legal right to own any of the characters in Naruto. Darn!

Author's Note: Oh dear, now I'm quite taken in to telling in detail of Sanate's past. That's the beauty of a new character, but this is still going to be a Hinata-centric fic with a touch of surface on everyone else and a heartier role for Otagu Sanate.

Chapter 4

(Back to Kakashi's reminiscence.)

"Wa—aaahh!" Sanate screamed again.

Her two other teammates were trying their utmost hardest to reach her, but a throng of bloodthirsty, relentless Sand-nins were standing between them. Even though Sanate was badly hurt, she still thought about her teammates' safety and yelled at them to go back. "Go back! Yondaime! Kakashi!"

With a mighty effort, Sanate wrenched her clamped ankle from the death grip. She gritted her teeth as she tried to stand up. Suddenly, a shower of needles rained down on her. She did nothing to avoid them, because she was concentrating on her chakra.

When the two came to help, Sanate forego her previous plan and pushed them back with all her remaining chakra. She saw their frantic looks, questioning her actions. It was too late to save her then.

Sanate knew she was hopelessly clinging on to a thin strand, it's slackening durability threatened to end her life there and then. But, she vowed to save her friends even if she has to die trying.

The poison was irascibly taking effect, causing drowsiness, dizziness and imbalance. Sanate felt so weak and vulnerable. It was then, they strike.

The thick metal claw went through her abdomen. Sanate showed little signs of pain even when she was hoisted up into the air; the claw bathed in her blood.

She was dying, but she was still determined to rid every single Sand-nin. Beneath her flak jacket were multiple bomb devices all lined up neatly like another layer of clothing.

Kakashi and Yondaime never got the chance to look back as the field erupted. Everyone there was encompassed in a mixture of immense heat and colossal firepower. The griping explosion shook the area and after the pungent smoke had cleared, a sizeable crater with burnt bodies strewn notoriously across it would have made any living being shudder.

If they were to look closer, they could've discovered a neat hole right in the middle of the crater.

The hurried footsteps behind Kakashi and Yondaime had eased their impending concerns, replacing their grim looks with subtle relieve.

"You're late," Yondaime said, but he could not hide a small smile forming on his handsome face.

"And you're dirty," Kakashi commented.

Sanate huffed a little, but she was secretly smiling inside at their concern for her.

"Kakashi? Yo?" Asuma smoked and blew smoke-rings at Kakashi's face.

Snapping back to reality, Kakashi shifted his position on the sofa. "Hn?"

"Sanate is leaving." Asuma nodded at the window.

"I know."

"I thought you'd want to say goodbye to her."

"I already did."

"When?"

"Early morning at the Marker. She was visiting Hayate."

Asuma nodded. He comprehends the natural coincidence. Sanate and Hayate were teammates back then.

For a short way, Sanate and Hinata followed the lane westwards. Then leaving it, they turned left and took quietly to the fields again. They went in single file along hedgerows and borders of coppices, all the while, a word was not uttered.

Night fell dark about them.

"We can rest now," Sanate said, breaking the mounting silence.

Hinata began to set up tent while Sanate build a fire with splinters and dried twigs. Soon, the wonderful heat warmed their toes.

Hinata sneaked a glance at Sanate, but Sanate sensed the look and turned her head so that the full view of her face was displayed. She gave Hinata a smile and allowed Hinata to observe her.

At first, Hinata was slightly perturbed when her sensei sensed her looking. She immediately turned away. Yet, her eyes felt compelled to look at Sanate as if karma was drawing her.

Grave and thoughtful was Sanate's glance as she looked on Hinata with cool pity in her eyes.

Hinata thought Sanate was slender and tall in her pink robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, an heir to a noble clan. Young she was and yet not so; fair and cold.

"I can be quite kind," Sanate said, reading her thoughts.

"You mind read?" Hinata asked without a stutter.

"Not exactly. I just know when I'm looking directly into your eyes." She paused before continuing, "We should get to know each other more."

Hinata nodded.

Taking note of Hinata's slightly imperceptible nod, Sanate went off with her name, age (Hinata's eyes widened slightly. Sensei was 33 years old!), likes and dislikes.

It was Hinata's turn.

Queerly, her stammering seemed to find its way home.

"I'm H-Hyuuga Hi-nata. Twel-elve…" Hinata stopped to take a deep breath. Instead of heading to the likes and dislikes category, she told of her goal.

"I-I want to change. I want pe-people to notice me changing to a stronger character. I want to be strong."

Sanate nodded knowingly. "Naruto was raving about you and your performance during the Bikochu mission. He's your muse isn't he?"

Hinata blushed a deep red.

Author's Note: Okay, I need feedback. Am I snailing my way through? Should I quicken the pace a little? Overall until now, is the story okay? Give me your opinions! I'll truly appreciate them.