The problem was not that there are no empty seats. The problem was that Hinata does not know where to sit.
And for half a second, she was ten years old again, back at the Academy, and Iruka-sensei had just let them all out for lunch. The boys run from the classroom, rowdy and wild as ever, pushing and hitting each other as they scramble to be the first ones out the door.
The girls, of course, were quieter and more polite, bowing to the teacher before skipping out into the hall, pairing off into groups of threes or fours. Hinata trailed behind them all, shy and miserable, with no friend to call her own. No one to sit by, no one to gossip with. Heads turn, pointed fingers and stage-whispers, all directed at the young Hyuuga, with her short black hair, and pearly eyes, downcast and filling with tears.
She is alone and scared, friendless, without anyone to turn to. Shoulders hunched, head down, standing in the shadows.
But this isn't the Academy, and Hinata was no longer ten. No longer shy, no longer scared. So instead she tossed her black hair over her shoulders, white eyes steely and cold, and made her way over to Sakura, kneeling down next to the pink-haired woman. They say nothing to each other (Sakura, you look so thin and pale. Won't you tell me what's wrong?), and she directs her attention towards Pein, who sat at the head of the low stone table around which they all kneel. Konan, like always, stood at his side, her face a blank, serene mask.
"Thank you, Hyuuga-san, for coming at such short notice. Next time, you will be told ahead of time about a meeting." Pein's monotone broke the heavy silence, and she inclined her head towards him respectfully. More notice or less, it hardly makes a difference to her. There isn't anything she needs to be doing instead, nothing was interrupted or disturbed. If anything, this meeting is a nice break from her daily routine of staring at stone walls and walking in circle until her feet hurt (even if she isn't entirely clear on why she has been summoned here).
There was a sense that they are waiting, and not just for Pein-sama to speak. Hinata did a quick head-count of the Akatsuki members (Is it a bad things that she knows them all now, can determine who is missing in less than ten seconds?) Everyone but Kisame, although that is not a surprise. She has not seen him since she first arrived here, at the base, three months ago.
Deidara, restless and never one for sitting silently, spoke. "Leader-sama -"
Pein cut him off. "We are waiting for Kisame, who arrived sometime last night. Seeing as he has been so busy, and doing so much for the organization as of late, I feel that we should wait for him before we begin. Don't you?"
The blond male ducked his head, ashamed, and says nothing. No one did; more silence.
Then footsteps. Hinata's keen ears picked them out, heavy and trudging. But as the footsteps get closer, she was confused. Not one, but two pairs of feet were headed this way. The second pair was lighter, softer, and Hinata instinctively glanced around for Konan (maybe Konan is accompanying Kisame to the meeting, for that would be the polite thing to do, and if nothing else, Konan is polite and courteous). The blue-haired woman was still there, and something that in another lifetime might have been hope prickled Hinata's heart. Maybe, maybe, maybe, if she dared to let a ray of sunlight (like pale gold, polished until it shines) piece her dark thoughts.
Suddenly, Hinata wanted the footsteps not to walk, but run. To race down the hall, and into the meeting room. She couldn't sit there, the suspense was killing her, and if she's wrong, then all the false hope (and she shouldn't even be hoping, because this hope is so false!) will kill her even more.
With a scraping sigh, the doors are pushed open, and Kisame entered. He was every bit as horrifying monster that Hinata remembers; tall, with rough blue skin, cold white eyes with gills on his cheeks and neck, dressed in the customary black and red Akatsuki cloak, and the bandaged sword resting on his back. "My apologies for holding everyone up." He drawled, although the sadistic note in his voice in nothing compared to Hidan's.
"Please, be seated Kisame." Pein said, gesturing to an empty seat with his hand. Kisame nodded, and hurries to kneel next to Itachi, filling in the gap. Now all the members are here. They can start.
Hope flickers and dies in Hinata's chest. She felt sick, faint, like she's going to die.
"Ah, Yamanaka-san. My apologies, but you will have to stand. We did not think that you would be joining us today." Hinata barely registered the rest of Pein's words as she whipped her head around, the name 'Yamanaka' echoing through her mind. Her heart is growing, painfully, she thinks it's going to burst, the pain of hope and fear combined, so painful!
Ino stood in the doorway, a look of cold calmness on her face (And nonononono, this isn't her Ino, the Ino she knows, because the Ino that Hinata knows would never, ever look like that!), her blue pupil-less eyes like twin pools of ice. She wore an Akatsuki cloak, and against the black and red cloth, her blond hair looks almost white.
"Of course, Lead-sama." Ino said as she drops a slight curtsy, which, in her cloak, looks odd and almost sinister, a mockery of what a curtsy really should be. Ino's voice flat and hoarse, like this was the first time she has spoken in weeks, and Hinata shuddered.
The blond did not look at Hinata, or Sakura, did not acknowledge their presence. Ino merely walked over to stand behind Kisame, far enough from the table that she gives the impression of being nothing more than a shadowy observer, but close enough that her voice would be able to be heard.
Sakura did not even glance at Ino. Hinata could not stop staring. She was aware of the fact that Pein has started speaking, but his words were nothing more than meaningless sound. She wanted to jump up from her seat, and rush to Ino, shake the pretty blond until life flooded back into her eyes. They could come up with a plan, a plan to free themselves. They could take Sakura, and escape. Head home, the three of them, friends despite everything, not stopping until they passed through the gates of Konoha.
But no. Such things are wishful thinking. Ino wouldn't even grace the Hyuuga-heiress with a look; her attention was instead focused politely on Pein.
A thought struck Hinata, hard, like a slap upside the head. Her and Sakura had been locked away in a cave in the Akatsuki base, kept under a watchful eye. But Ino hadn't been here. Ino had been somewhere else; with Kisame. Ino had been outside, away from the dim, rocky walls, and cruel, teasing eyes of the Akatsuki monsters. What had been different? What had Ino done that allowed her freedom of the outside world, while Hinata and Sakura had been hidden away in the darkness?
Maybe Hinata doesn't want to know. But maybe she does.
And it was with great effort that Hinata pulled out of her thoughts, her dark, brooding thoughts to instead focus on what Pein was saying. Thankfully, it appeared as if she had not missed much; Kisame told of where he was, and who he saw, which rebels were stirring up danger, and which had retreated to lick their wounds and plot revenge.
This did not concern her, but she listened anyways, because who knows, maybe this information will soon prove to be useful.
But finally, Pein stood, opening his mouth as if to speak, and the tension that had faded away to a dull hum now returns in full force, tensing the shoulders of everyone present, making them lean forward, anxious and eager.
"Three months ago, we acquired three of Konoha's best kunoichi." He began, nodding in turn to Sakura, Ino and Hinata. "The plan was to use them as bait, to lure out the fox demon's human container, so that we may drain the demon's life-energy as we have done before." Pein now paced at the head of the table, and all eyes followed, drinking in every word. "Had there been no one stopping him, I believe the fox-kit would have raced right here, and we would not have had to idle the last three months away on, gathering information that we already knew, and revising plans that were fool-proof."
The Leader's lips twisted up into a wry smile, and he shook his head slightly. "However, the fox kit has many people looking out for him, perhaps to ensure that he does not rush off and do something stupid. The Hokage herself, the demon's human container's sensei, and the Toad Sage, among others. Our spies within the city tell that the fox kit was persuaded not to run off at the first chance he got to act like the hero. Instead, he has spent the last three months training."
Pein stopped pacing, and turned to face the members of the Akatsuki, placing his hands lightly on the table as he leaned forward. "The fox demon provides his human container with an nearly endless supply of chakra, as well as the ability to quickly heal. Normally, this would present a problem. Any other shinobi, someone with greater training and the wisdom of years on their side, they would make it very hard for us to succeed. The current container is but a boy of sixteen years old. Restless, eager and foolish, prone to acting first, and thinking later. We can use this against him, for he is greatly worried about the safety of his three friends." Several pairs of eyes flicked briefly in Hinata's direction, but she ignored them.
"Within a week, our spies will lead the fox kit here. By that time, we must be prepared to defeat him and those who come with him, along with come to a consensus about what to do with our three captives." Pein straightened, and sat back down in his place, a gesture that seemed to say he had said his part, and would now listen to what the others had to say.
Hidan was the first to speak. "We cannot allow them to return to the village, not after they have stayed among us for three months, and not after you have just said all this in front of them! They either stay with us, whether they like it or not, or-"
"Or what?" Kakuzu broke in. "Or we'll kill them? Won't that just enrage the village more? I am quite confident that we all will be able to hold against a weakling fox-boy, but fighting off an entire Hidden Village is something else completely."
Sasori nodded towards Kakuzu, as if in agreement. "Besides, by the time the boy is dead, everything that they will have heard will already have been put into action, and we will be moving on. Anything 'secrets' they would have to tell would no longer apply to us, or have already happened."
"Still, what kind of jailers release their captives once they are no longer needed? Better to kill them, so that they do not come back to trouble us later." Zetsu hissed, gold eyes flashing. There was a pause, as if everyone was considering these words, as if Zetsu's thoughts carried more weight than Kakuzu's or Sasori's.
Konan spoke up, her voice soft and polite as ever. "Both Sakura and Ino have proven to be very useful for us. It has been more than helpful to have another pair of hands down in the medical room, and I know that Kisame has put Ino to very good use." No one missed how there was nothing to compliment Hinata on.
Hidan snorted. "Yeah, but to keep them here as our captives forever? You know they'll all try to escape the minute we begin to trust them, and let our guard down."
"Perhaps we should let the kunoichi speak for themselves, so that they may tell us what they would rather happen to them." Itachi said, expressing the seemingly radical idea in a calm and simple way.
The words are already on Hinata's tongue, her lips are forming them. "Yes, we want to go! We don't want to stay here any longer that we have to. Let us go, for we know nothing." And she was ready to speak, ready to voice her opinion. She turned to Sakura, looking for support. And what she saw made her heart fall.
Sakura sits with her head bowed, eyes on the ground, and her hands folded in her lap. The pink-haired kunoichi's lips are pressed tightly together. She does not look like someone who has been counting down the days until they will be allowed to go free; just the opposite.
Ino is the same way. Eyes downcast, and lips a thin line. Hinata's heart freezes over.
She could still say she wants to leave, still say she'll take the freedom they offer. But at the same time, the Hyuuga knows she won't. She's not leaving. Not without her friends. So instead of speaking up like she wants to, Hinata mimics the other girls. Eyes down, mouth shut. There is a curious sort of waiting in the air, and she knows everyone is expecting her to speak. But she can't. She won't.
And after several minutes of long, heavy silence, Pein sighed. "Well, perhaps we should give our guests time to think it through. My final words are be ready for anything. We are told that we still have a week until the fox kit attacks, but that may change at any given time. Be prepared to attack and defend the base at any moment." With that, Pein stood, and nodded his head to them all. "Meeting adjourned."
He strides from the room, Konan following silent behind him. All around Hinata, the Akatsuki members stand and stretch legs that have fallen asleep. Except for her. She merely sat there, numb to everything. Her chance at freedom, she should have spoke up! But she couldn't. She couldn't have left her friends here, in this hell.
She couldn't, wouldn't, will NOT do that... Right?
A hand was gently placed on her shoulders, and Hinata jerked away, recoiling from the suppose-to-be friendly touch. Ino leaned over her, blue eyes confused as she withdrew her hand. The Yamanaka and the Hyuuga stare at each other, white eyes meeting blue. A slight frown creased Ino's forehead, and Hinata looked away.
Not so long ago, Hinata would have been over-joyed to see Ino; less than two hours ago, her heart was in her throat as the mysterious footsteps approached the door. But now her emotions have drained away, and all Hinata wanted to do was sleep. She opened her mouth as if to speak, then closed it again, and shook her head slightly.
But Ino does not give up easily. "Hinata-san, I was wondering if you would accompany me for a walk outside?" The blond straightens, and holds out a hand for Hinata. "We have ever so much to catch up on, and you look rather sickly. Perhaps the sunshine will do you some good?"
And Hinata can't refuse, even though she wanted to. So, wordlessly, she took Ino's hand, and allowed the blond to pull her up.
XxX
The two girls sat in silence, save for the sound of wind rustling through the leafs, and the chirping of birds as they flit from their nests to the ground in search of a worm or two. Hinata's eyes followed the simple-minded creatures as they flew from branch to branch, their wings a blur, and felt a stab of envy. How easy it must be to live as a bird. Ino's soft fingers carefully traced over the ridges on Hinata's wrists and arms; healed gashes that have left behind raised bumps which will never truly heal. But isn't that the point?
"Ino...where have you been? What have you been doing?" Hinata asked the question before she really knew what she was doing. But now the words are hanging in the air, heavy and full of meaning, and Hinata can't take them back. But maybe that's okay, because she feels like she can breathe a bit easier now that she has asked the question that has been plaguing her since the blond girl arrived.
Ino's fingers trembled slightly, and her throat moves as she swallowed in what could have been a nervous way. But this was Ino. She didn't get nervous. "I, I have been...assisting Kisame-san. He needs a medic, and a spy. I am good at those things. Naruto, he...he would not come for me alone, but I cannot be sent back to Konoha." Her eyes darted around the clearing, looking for some unknown danger, some invisible enemy that Hinata did not fear.
The black-haired kunoichi looked hard at Ino, really looked. Saw the fear, the uncertainty, and the almost-love in the blue eyes (but it's not love, not really, because love isn't born of fear) Saw the Akatsuki cloak, removed and carefully folded. Saw the baggy, black clothes that hide legs, arms, chest (Ino would never wear black. Ino would never wear something so conservative.). Remembered how Kisame came to the base without Ino, then left, and returned once again with the defeated medic-nin in tow. And Hinata felt her eyes fill with tears.
"Ino, I'm, I'm so sorry." She sobbed brokenly. Because this isn't fair. They are in a mess, the three of them. A true, honest mess.
Ino wrapped her arms around the crying girl, even as tears burned at her own eyes. "This is not your fault, Hinata. Stop blaming yourself." The blond said softly, running a hand through Hinata's hair in a useless gesture of comfort.
But this is Hinata's fault. Or, at least, she feels that is it. It's her fault, it's her fault, and she can't even fix it. "Would you stay here, with him?" She asked, pulling away from Ino to look the girl in the eye, knowing that her words will hurt, but also knowing that she needs an answer. "If you had a choice, would you go home to Choji? Or would you stay here with him?"
Blue eyes flashed with pain, and Ino jerked away from Hinata as if the black-haired girl had stabbed her with a knife. One hand flew up to cover her mouth, trying to stifle the soft moan of unhappiness. "Do not ask me that, Hinata." The blond pleaded, shaking her head furiously so that her hair went flying. "Do not ask me questions that I cannot answer."
Tears slip down Ino's cheeks, and now the roles are reversed at Hinata wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders, pulling her close. "It'll be okay." She promised, lying through her teeth. Because that's all she's really been doing lately, lying.
Fingers wrap around her hand with splintering strength, and there is an odd light to Ino's eyes. "Hinata, you have to promise me something." She whispered, her words tumbling out over each other. "Leader-sama, he has not yet decided what to do with us. Sakura and I, we're safe, because Kisame and Deidara won't let us go. Even if we stay here with them forever, we won't be dead." Hinata can only stare at her friend wordlessly, because she knows where this is going. "But they're looking at you, Hinata, because you haven't done anything for them, and you're not fucking like a slut. They will kill you Hinata, if you stay like this. I know they will."
"What do you want me to do?" The Hyuuga asked through frozen lips. She already knows the answer; they both know she already knows.
Pain, sadness, anger, all flash across Ino's face as more tears fall down her beautiful cheeks. She looks like a crying Goddess, forced to make a gut-wrenching decision. "We're kunoichi; sex is just skill. Please, I'm begging you, fall into someone's bed! I can't, I won't, I won't watch you be killed out of stubbornness!" Her fingers tighten on Hinata's wrist, but the black-haired girl doesn't acknowledge the pain. "Isn't there anyone?" Ino's voice is desperate.
Hinata thinks of pale, pale skin, and dark black hair; eyes like coal and a voice like death. Something burns in her stomach, and she finds it slightly ironic that while she never fell for Sasuke, here she is falling for his brother.
"Yes."
A/N: …...DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT! Yes, I'm sorry about the long wait for an update. I realized that I didn't have a plot for this story, so I had to go back over everything I'd written so far, and figure out where I wanted this story to go. But for you, I present a slightly longer chapter than usual! Please don't hate me; I truly am sorry.
Next installment, the romance begins!
