Full Moon
Disclaimer: Sadly, I still don't own Naruto. Kishimoto-san does.
"Hey. Hinata? You ought to wake up now."
Hinata opened her eyes and saw Sasori standing over her with a concerned look on his face.
"Sasori? Where am I?" Hinata's eyes were too blurry to take in the rest of her surroundings. Leaning on her elbow she sat up. Strong hands held her back up, and she looked up to see Deidara.
"We're in your room. You've been asleep for four days straight. Your summon couldn't stay for long."
Hinata froze. She'd been out cold for that long? At least Rin was all right.
"How are you feeling? I was worried about you, you know. " Deidara's voice was solemn for the first time since she had met him. Hinata blushed. It was a bit comforting to know that someone cared about her, even if it was one of her captors.
"I'm all right, Deidara." Almost hesitantly she hugged him. Deidara's eyes widened in surprise, but he returned the hug with a small smile on his face. " Thanks for defending me. Itachi was right...I am weak."
"Sh. Don't say that! He was just too hard on you. Do not think too bad of Itachi. He has his own ways of expressing his feelings. You'll be able to kick his ass in no time. Yeah."
Hinata had no idea what he was talking about, but all she knew was that Deidara was her closest friend here. He inspired her, like Naruto did.
"Now, I'll leave you to talk to Sasori. I'll see you later." He smiled warmly and left.
Hinata did not realize she was staring after him until Sasori cleared his throat loud enough to fill the entire room. Turning her attention to him, she wondered how on earth such a quiet man could make that big a noise.
"Does your arm feel better?"
Hinata noticed for the first time that her arm was almost healed.
"Sasori...you did this for me? Thank you." Hinata felt bad for not thanking him earlier.
"It's my job. Anyway, your muscles were torn in several places and your shoulder was dislocated. Your arm will need a bit more healing every day, but you will make a full recovery within a week. Or two. I also left an ointment in your bathroom. You must apply it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening."
"Oh." Hinata was silent for a moment.
"Sasori? Does Itachi hate me?"
For the first time Sasori actually smiled at her.
"That is not in my power to answer. All I know is that Itachi is virtually impossible to read. You will need to find that out yourself." Sasori exited the room.
Hinata carefully touched her shoulder and was surprised to feel only a dull pain. It was when she felt it that she noticed how much she was sweating. She quickly took off her outer clothes and left on a fishnet shirt and shorts. Still sweating, Hinata decided she needed some fresh air. Putting on a light lavender kimono and tying the obi loosely around her waist she made her way to the roof. The greenhouse in which she entered was quiet, and the fragile flowers inside it swayed gently. Looking back at the darkness of the stairway behind her Hinata opened the greenhouse door and stepped out in to the rooftop garden, where the larger plants were kept. Leaning over the balcony she felt a cool gust of wind sweep over her face. Closing her eyes Hinata thought about her nice little apartment in Konoha Village. Her bright, cheery bedroom with windows that had curtains with flower patterns and the photos of her friends and family. The wind was blowing a little more strongly than before and the obi loosened a bit. Hinata's eyes were still closed. Friends...family.
Hinata knew her friends would be worried. She could imagine Kiba and Akamaru raging through Konoha Forest in search of her, no doubt uprooting dozens of trees in their mad pursuit. Shino would be more calm, sending his tracking insects out and acting as if he weren't worried, though Hinata knew he would be staying up late every night, pacing around his room until he fell asleep. He had done that the night after the chunin exams when she was in the hospital recovering from her fight with Neji, Kiba told her. Kurenai, the mother she never had... Kurenai was a bit strict at times, but she would be out searching for her every day. Hinata doubted that her family even tried looking for her. Neji, who became a close friend and confidant may have looked for her, Hanabi hated her so she was out of the question and as for Hiashi... he may have wept tears of joy and did flips around his office for all she knew. All the more reason to make Hanabi the heiress to the Hyuuga Clan.
Hinata looked at the moon. It wasn't full, yet the crescent glowed vividly in the night. The stars danced around it, winking out and then reappearing at times. It's so unfair... She dug her nails into her palms.
It was only when a gust of wind completely loosened the knot on her obi that Hinata realized she was crying. Wiping the tears off with her sleeve she told herself to stop acting like a baby. Feeling ashamed she was about to retie the obi when a voice called out from behind her:
"Hinata. What are you doing out here?" It was Itachi, wearing his usual Akatsuki robe. The robe was unbuttoned, exposing his chest under his mesh. At least she now had a real reason to cry...
"I'm howling at the full moon, baka, whaddaya think?!" Hinata spat back, feeling an anger she had never felt before.
If Itachi was shocked at her uncharacteristic outburst he never showed it.
"First of all, it is a half moon, second, you can come up with a better insult than baka, and third, I believe you are crying."
Hinata did not look him directly in the eyes.
"Don't talk to me, Itachi. I do not even want to see you." She turned around and faced the balcony once again, determined to save even a little bit of her dignity by not letting him see the tears still on her face.
A warm breath on her neck told Hinata that Itachi was right behind her.
"Too bad. I guess you'll have to now." Itachi was speaking patiently. He grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him. Hinata shivered and shut her eyes at his touch.
"Relax. I won't hurt you." Itachi said, as if sensing her discomfort.
Hinata gasped as he started pulling off the kimono. She opened her eyes when she noticed he had pulled the cloth off far enough just to see the bruises and the ugly scar he had left on her shoulder. He stood looking at it for a minute then lightly brushed his fingers over the wounds. Itachi stopped when he heard Hinata's sharp intake of breath.
Hinata couldn't take it anymore.
"I hope you are satisfied with your handiwork. Unless you want to rip off my other arm,"she muttered under her breath and walking around the Uchiha headed back to the greenhouse.
Like Itachi would let her escape that easily.
One second she was turning the knob of the greenhouse door, the next she was in Itachi's arms.
He carried her over to a tree and sat down, leaning his back against the trunk. Before she could protest he pulled Hinata into a sitting position between his legs(stop thinking that way, perverts!) and pressed her back against his chest.
Hinata turned her head to glare at him but didn't say a word. Itachi didn't say anything either; instead he clasped his hands around her waist almost possesively.
"I hurt you, didn't I?" He said in a low voice. Hinata thought before she answered:
"I-it doesn't matter now. I hate you."
"Hn." Itachi really did not sound like he cared what she thought of him. Changing the subject he asked her:
"What were you crying about?"
"Like you care. You r-really are heartless."
"Just answer me."
"What does it matter to you?"
"It doesn't. Just tell me." The eldest Uchiha sounded impatient.
Hinata was startled.
"I just miss my home, that's all."
"Anything else? Is it about someone you care about? Like me?" he whispered in her ear.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
Itachi smirked. Activating his sharingan he asked:
"Then why are you blushing?"
Hinata had no answer for that one.
"Well, Hinata it's about time you went to sleep." With that he tapped her on the back of her head, sending a small jolt of chakra into it that made her fall asleep.
Itachi looked down at the girl in his arms. She looked so peaceful and innocent; the exact opposite of himself. He absently stroked her belly.
"Mm, Itachi, do that again." Hinata was moaning in her sleep.
Itachi looked down at her, confused. But a little experiment wouldn't hurt.
"Did that feel good?" He asked in a low, smooth voice.
Hinata nodded against his chest. "Please...do it again, for me?"
Itachi cracked a smile(!) It was obvious that she was dreaming about him. And enjoying him immensely, by the sound of it.
He stroked her again. Hinata blushed. "Itachi, it tickles!"
Itachi couldn't resist. Leaning forward he kissed her on the neck.
"That feels nice." Hinata's voice was soft and loving, a voice which Itachi knew she would never use on him. The next words out of her mouth made him freeze.
"Please stay with me..."
Deidara crouched on the roof of the greenhouse, watching what was going on with satisfaction.
Flashback
Itachi was in his room, running a finger over the edge of a kunai, not even flinching when he slit himself. He sat there, watching the blood stream slowly down his hand. His blood. Hinata's blood. His thoughts were interrupted when a knock sounded at his door.
"Come in."
Deidara strode in, an unusually serious look on his face.
"If you're here to talk about that pathetic kunoichi you can just leave." Itachi gripped the blade of his kunai tighter. Blood trickled out the corners of his hands as he fought with the pain.
"Itachi, you may have taught me some fighting skills but it's obvious you need some lessons in people skills, yeah." Deidara looked the older Akatsuki dead in the eyes.
" You actually dare to say that to me?" Itachi's eyes narrowed.
" She's been unconscious for nearly four days. What were you thinking?"
" Is it any of your business?"
" Yes! First of all, she's my student and second of all, she's a KID! You don't try to cripple a kid!" Deidara was looking at him with fury in his eyes.
" Hinata is an adult, you know. She's 18, that pathetic kunoichi should be able to defend herself. She's my student as well ,don't forget." Itachi was now gripping the kunai harder than ever.
Deidara looked at him, disbelief in his eyes.
" You don't get it, do you? You should be nicer to her." He stood up and walked away, managing to catch the kunai before it hit him in the back.
Yay! Another chapter done! The chapter after the next will be the longest I've ever written, so I have to get to typing! T.T By the way, in case you're wondering, Hinata is 18, Itachi is 23, Deidara is 21.
Anyway's, thanks once again to all those who read my story and reviewed. The next chapter will be out soon. Thanks again,
Narutochica
