Sunlight fell gently through the window and rested upon Hinata's closed eyelids. She awoke to the peaceful sound of birds chirping outside. Sitting up, she rubbed her pale eyes and stretched her sore joints. She wasn't quite ready to wake up, especially from a late night. But there were things that had to be done.
Hinata peered over the edge of her bed to see her cousin, still fast asleep. Maybe I should lessen the amount of drugs I give them…
She sighed and stumbled out of bed, dodging Neji on the floor. She ran down the stairs and out into the warm, sunny day. The sky was clearer and bluer than ever, and she took in a deep breath of the fresh outside air. She could hardly believe what had happened last night, but she still had a bandage on her wound and a tear in her jacket, which she had stayed up to sew shut, as not to raise suspicion from anyone. I mean, the whole town had a hawk's eye on her.
In the courtyard, Kiba was waiting, straddled on Akamaru's back as usual. He hopped off of him once he saw Hinata.
"Hey," he said, with a kiss on the cheek. "Are you ready to train today?"
"Hai," she said. She looked around. "Where's Shino?"
"He had a mission assigned to him yesterday."
"Oh, okay."
"Alright, let's go."
After training, Kiba walked Hinata home, kissed her goodbye, and rode away on Akamaru. He couldn't help but notice that she was slightly better. More aware of everything around her. In fact, she was able to deflect every weapon that he threw her way. Kiba also knew about the Byaakugan's blind spot. He had gone on a mission with Neji to bring Sasuke back to the village, where Neji was severely injured and found nearly dead. When they had all arrived back in Konoha, the medics had discovered the truth about the Byaakugan. But the secret would never leave the village.
He was glad of Hinata's improvements, but if he only knew…
Back at the Hyuuga residence, Hinata took care of Neji, who was awake, but had a severe migrane. She had to think of another way to get out of the house, without drugging them. Maybe there was some type of jutsu she could do. She'd have to research it.
Hinata put Neji in the dark closet (he was bothered by light, at the moment) with a glass of cold water and ice pack. She also gave him some extra blankets by the futon, which he gladly took and wrapped up in.
"Do you want anything else, Neji?" asked Hinata.
Neji groaned. "Just some rest. Thank you, Hinata. You don't have to stay here, if you don't want to."
"Well, I will, just in case you want anything later."
Neji was sweating and shivering like crazy. "Thank you, Hinata," he said again.
"It's no trouble."
Hinata turned on the portable heater and placed it next to her sick cousin, feeling rather guilty. I can care less about my father, but Neji's never contradicted me. Well, okay he has, but not anymore. He's much better now.
"I'm going to call Sakura over," said Hinata.
Neji said nothing as he was too busy chattering and shivering.
Another week passed as her father and cousin got better, and she had learned a rather simple hypnosis jutsu so she wouldn't have to drug them again. She was still followed around by Neji, Kiba, or Kakashi, and everyone else everywhere, as of Tsunade's orders. On Tuesday, she followed the same routine, but with her new jutsu, Neji and her father were in a peaceful slumber where they would awake in the morning, wide awake instead of terribly hung over.
Hinata bowed to her mentor after another intense training session. She was worn out and covered in filth, but she was happy that she was improving. It turned out that Itachi was actually a rather excellent trainer, for she had learned more in only 14 hours of training than she had learned in one day back in Konoha.
Now the student and sensei sat at the top of the waterfall in silence. Not awkward, not friendly, but just a comfortable silence. The two shinobi, little did they know, were thinking the same thing. Hinata thought Itachi looked even more handsome than he did the last Tuesday. As for Itachi, he thought the same thing about Hinata. Her long hair was shimmering in the silver light of the full moon, right in front of them. Hinata stared at its immense beauty.
"The moon looks lovely tonight." Hinata looked over at her sensei. Itachi? Saying something was lovely? It didn't
seem possible to her before. "It makes me think about that night…"
Itachi trailed off, but the young girl knew exactly what he was talking about. Who wouldn't? As Hinata stared into Itachi's thoughtful face, she realized how empty he always seemed. She remembered vaguely before he was a rogue ninja. He seemed to care so much for the village, and most of all, Sasuke. But those were distant memories. But still, there seemed more to him than just a killer and an S-Ranked criminal from the Akatsuki.
"Itachi? Why did you… why did you kill everyone?" Before Hinata could stop herself, the words slipped from her throat. Hinata flushed and looked back at the moon as Itachi looked at her, looking slightly annoyed.
But he remained calm. "Well, I had to test my abilities. That's exactly what I told Sasuke." He looked back at the sky. "I was young and idiotic back then."
There was a short pause before Hinata asked: "If you could go back, would you redo it all over again? Do you regret it at all?" Ugh, I HAVE to quit prying.
But once again, Itachi answered calmly. "Actually, I have no regrets from that night. If I had a chance to go back then, I would do everything the same." He looked at her again, that same empty expression that he always wore. "And I wouldn't feel sorry. For anyone or anything. Besides, it's better than staying tied down to one small village. I couldn't take it anymore."
Hinata didn't know much about Itachi, but she thought there had to be a better reason than that. Even though it seemed pointless that he had slaughtered the whole Uchiha clan. There wasn't any possible reason in her mind that he had to have done it. But why keep Sasuke alive?
"Would… would you have killed Sasuke if you could go back?" Hinata's hand flew to her mouth. A small gasp escaped her lips. "I-I'm sorry, I'm prying too much."
Itachi was clearly offended, although, as usual, he was nearly expressionless. "Don't mention Sasuke to me again. Ever."
Hinata stood up. "I- guess… I'm sorry. I really am. I should go—"
As she was about to run away, cursing herself, Itachi wrapped his strong hands around her wrist. Hinata flushed a fresh shade of red. She closed her eyes, ready for his Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Hinata, wait." He didn't sound angry, but Hinata still hung her head, as she turned back toward him and looked up at him through her eyelashes. "If I could go back, I would do everything the same. Including keeping Sasuke alive." He looked out over the trees. "I know he's caused everyone in Konoha grief, but that's just how things go in this world. As for Naruto, well… he has to learn how to let people go. Everyone in your village does. Knowing him… he'll never come back."
Itachi let go of a speechless Hinata, who just stood there, staring at Itachi like an idiot. He looked down at her until she looked away. "Um, I guess I'll see you next time, then?"
He solemnly nodded his head. "Yes. I will see you next time, Hinata."
Itachi ran quickly into the forest, leaving the Hyuuga girl behind. Of course, he was really angry. He hated thinking about that night. Forced to leave his brother and the village he loved. Having to kill his friends and family. Even though he was ticked off, he somehow wasn't mad at the young, timid girl that had brought all the terrible memories to the surface. Besides, it wasn't really her fault. He had been the one to mention it in the first place. But it was more than that. She was… special. She was just, important, somehow.
"I'll do everything in my power to protect her," said Itachi aloud and determined.
Hinata stood at the top of the waterfall, where she had been deserted by the Uchiha man. Well, she felt the same way Itachi did. Even that last moment hadn't been awkward. Just another Itachi-and-Hinata moment. A moment where they both felt something that couldn't be labeled. It was just something deep with the two shinobi. Itachi and Hinata.
Even though she knew Itachi was angry, she knew he would forget about it next time and they would continue everything as it was before. Training late at night to early morning. Something that gave her that rush that everyone loves to feel.
Although he said that he killed the clan to "test his abilities," Hinata had no doubt in her mind that there was a better reason as she ran quickly home to Konoha.
Hey, guys! I'm soo sorry it took me forever to upload. I was forced into the wilderness with a bunch of girls to camp with them. Well, today I just got back, showered and clipped my dirty nails, put on makeup, and it all felt soo good. Just know that I've had lots of withdrawls from not being able to write, and I will publish all my chapters ASAP. Thank you for reading, and thank you for reviewing. Means a lot to me! ^^
