Drum roll please! Without further ado, here's chapter 7 :) Enjoy. And thank you so much everyone who's reviewed and those who have read this far into the story without dropping it. It warms my heart.
The night was cold and the breeze sent a chill right down to his very bones. He stood waiting in the outskirts of the forest just beyond the estate for his money-hungry 'friend' to appear. The silence did nothing for his patience. It was wearing thin the longer he waited. Soon enough he would end up just leaving the encounter for later, when a figure casually walked from the bushes. All impatience forgotten, he made to stand before the new arrival and asked what was burning across his mind all night.
"Is it done?"
"Hai, Itachi-kun. My men have him incapacitated at our hideout as we speak," the strange man answered in a very sinister voice.
"Excellent. You have done well. Rest assured, your actions will not go unrewarded. I will have the payment sent to you tomorrow morning."
"See to it that it is. I'll not hesitate to kill him outright if you fail to uphold your part of the bargain."
"Would it not be better to kill me as well?"
"That can be arranged, but I prefer to play with my food before I eat it, if you know what I mean," he grinned sickeningly.
"All too well, and it is in good measure that I chose you to carry out this job. There were no complications, I trust?"
"Nothing my men and I couldn't handle. His security was lax, as predicted. It was all just routine from there."
"Good, good. Make sure that he suffers no harm. It is imperative that he stay alive."
"Hai, I'll see to it that he does. However, should he grow restless, I don't think I have it in me to hold myself back."
"As you wish, just don't kill him."
"I heard you the first time. Now, will that be all?"
"Indeed. A job well done, Orochimaru. I will notify you as to when phase two will begin."
"By your leave then, Itachi-kun."
Orochimaru turned and fled back into the woods. Yes, everything was falling into place. Soon, Itachi thought, he will return the Uchiha clan to its former glory. All that remains is his dear brother and the Hyuuga brat's wedding.
Knock-Knock
"What now...?"
Knock-Knock
"Ugh, my first good night sleep in ages, and it seems the gods have it in for me..."
Knock-Knock-Knock!
"Yeah, I'm coming, damn it!"
The groggy Naruto wrenched open the door after once again being awoken from his well-deserved rest. However, It wasn't Hinata standing at his door this time. It was someone he had least expected.
"Yo," came Kakashi's annoyingly calm voice.
"What is it?" Naruto asked grumpily.
"I didn't wake you did I?" His eye was screwed up into a confused, sympathetic look.
"No, now what the hell do you want?"
"Are you sure I didn't wake you? I would feel just awful if I did. I know how frustrating it can be."
"Is this guy serious?"
"Perhaps I should come back later," he said as he turned to walk away.
"Hang on a second!" The mercenary thrust out his arm and caught a hold of the bodyguard's collar and forced him to turn around. "Listen, I don't know what your deal is, but you're pissing me off. Either tell me what's going on or I burn that precious book you love so much."
Kakashi's eye grew wide with shock and fear. Certainly no one could be so cruel? It was a limited edition for Kami's sake! "I was merely sent to tell you that Sasuke-sama would like a word with you. He also told me that... that..." His eye swiveled back and forth, thinking of the right words. "...That if my book came to any harm, you will be charged with buying me a new one, and that includes shipping and tax." Yes, that should get him.
Naruto looked utterly perplexed. Surely this guy wasn't the same person that Itachi was talking about?
"I highly doubt that he said that last part."
"Oh, but he did. I also forgot to mention that it must be a first edition, and those can be very pricey. I hope you can afford it."
"Oh really? How 'pricey'?"
"Mm, I don't know. I would say at least one-thousand gold. Plus tax and shipping, of course."
"You can't be serious."
"As a heart attack, my friend."
"...Did you fall on your head when you were a kid?"
Kakashi chuckled. "Don't be ridiculous. No one can drop themselves on their own head!"
Naruto gave a frustrated sigh. "That's not what I- You know what? Never mind, you're too easy. Just take me to Sasuke."
"Hai, as you wish Naruto-san."
He followed the whacked out guardian back into the main hall. From there, they headed into a larger room still on the opposite side of the guest wing. From the look of it, this had to be the dining room. There was a huge table that stretched on across the long room. There were four people seated at the end of it, from what he could tell. As he came closer, he saw that it was Sasuke, Hinata, (for some odd reason) Tenten, and (much to his dismay) Neji.
Hinata looked up from her conversation with the Uchiha to Naruto and blushed madly. He could just make out a whispered "Ohayo, Naruto-kun" from her direction.
"Good morning, Naruto-san! I hope that you slept well?" said Sasuke enthusiastically.
"Some-what," he said, looking at Hinata, then Kakashi briefly.
"Ah, I am sorry to hear that. Please, have a seat next to Hinata-chan. I shall have food brought to you."
"I'm not all that hungry," he said as he sat beside the now quivering girl. He could see with some delight that her hand was shaking so badly, she was slopping orange juice all over the table from trying to lift her glass.
"Are you certain?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it."
"Very well. Kakashi," he said looking to his bodyguard. He once again pulled out his book and ignored what was going on around him. "Kaka- Oh never mind. I'll just let him be. He'll look up from his blasted book soon enough."
"Is he always so careless?" Naruto asked while glaring at that god-forsaken book.
"Only during his leisure time. Don't let him fool you, though, I assure you that he is an excellent guardian."
"Whatever. What did you call me for?"
"Oh, yes. I would like to speak with Hinata-chan in private, but she insisted that you come along with her. It appears that she is afraid to stray too far from her protector," he said while smiling to the now cherry-red Hyuuga.
Naruto looked at her as well. He could tell that she was extremely uncomfortable while sitting next to him. Perhaps he should do something to ease her nerves? "I'm gonna regret this..."
Out of sight from the others, he subtly moved his right hand and placed it on her elbow. Neji and Tenten were occupied in a conversation about who knows what, while Sasuke was again attempting to rouse Kakashi from his readings. He squeezed slightly and whispered so that only she could hear him.
"There's no need to be so nervous. Stop that now or else you'll give yourself a heart attack."
She looked up into his cool blue eyes with her beautiful lavender orbs and immediately stopped fidgeting. Nodding to him slowly, she sat up in her seat and squeezed his hand, still on her elbow, with her opposite one.
"Thank you..." she whispered back.
He nodded to her response and turned back to see that Sasuke had a huge grin on his face, eyes shifting to and fro to each of them. It also appeared that Neji and Tenten had stopped talking, and now Neji sat glaring at Naruto, while Tenten had a small smile and a light blush adorning her cheeks.
"I-is something the matter?" Hinata asked worriedly. Neji looked as if he was going to respond but Tenten had kicked his ankle underneath the table and stifled him.
"No, nothing at all," said Sasuke, still looking highly amused. "If you are done with your breakfast, Hinata-chan?"
"O-oh, yes. Shall we?"
"We shall. Kakashi!" Kakashi had no choice but to look up, for Sasuke had tore the book from his fingers and was now dangling it in front of his face. "Business before pleasure, my friend. Come."
"-Sigh- Hai, Sasuke-kun," he said dejectedly while taking his book back.
"This way, please."
"Be careful, Hinata-sama!" Neji had shouted from his place at the table, while Tenten was giggling madly for who knows what reason.
The three of them follow the raven-haired heir outside and around the huge mansion. The path they took led them into the huge garden out in the back of the estate. It had flowers of all kinds, in various colors of all shades and hues. The hedges were sculpted in varying animal shapes. The path that cut through it led to a small pond with a bridge that crossed over it, and if he looked close enough, Naruto could see all kinds of species of fish, no bigger than his fist.
Kakashi stopped just before the bridge. "I'll just wait here then." Before anyone could respond, sure enough he had already pulled out his small orange book and was lost from humanity.
"Guess I will, too," Naruto said.
"Actually, Naruto-san, I think it would be in your best interest to join us. No doubt you would be interested in what we are to discuss," Sasuke had said cheerfully.
"I-I agree. Please join us, Naruto-kun."
He looked at Hinata and let his gaze linger on her eyes longer than he had wanted. But he just could not help himself, her eyes were just so... beautiful.
"Naruto-san?"
The blond still looked at the woman before him when he responded. "Hn?"
Sasuke chuckled at them again and cleared his throat. "I, ah, think we should proceed on the bridge. I don't mean to interrupt your moon-gazing, but it cannot be helped."
Naruto blushed and tore his eyes away from the beauty before him, who in turn quickly shifted her gaze to her feet and twiddled with her fingers. "...Right. Gomen."
"Not to worry." They turned and walked towards the middle of the bridge and stopped. Naruto had lingered behind a bit and stood a good length away from the two, but close enough that he could hear and participate in the upcoming conversation if the need should arise.
"Now," started Sasuke, "I would like to discuss the events of the not-so-distant future. You are both aware of my views on this marriage, but I am curious to know what goes in your minds concerning this matter. Please, if it is not too much trouble, I would listen to what you would have to say."
Hinata had listened intently to what he was saying, and looked to him, then Naruto. She wasn't sure if she should go first or wait to see if the former would respond. Then again, it wasn't like Naruto to start a conversation unless directly asked. Even then, it all depended on whether or not he felt like it.
"W-well, I also do not wish to proceed with the marriage. Of course, i-it has nothing to do with you, Sasuke-kun. It's just..."
A moment of silence passed as Hinata thought of how best to phrase her next thought. "I am tired of being seen as an object. I care for my clan, I really do, but this is not how I wish to help and support it. I want to make my own decisions, and I would like to live my life without the constant monotony and isolation that has plagued me for as long as I have drawn breath."
"A sad tale indeed. I wish there was more that I could do for you, Hinata-chan."
"Arigato, Sasuke-kun. But you have already done enough by being so understanding, and for being such a good friend."
"Stop it, you're making me blush," the young man laughed. "Well, thank you for sharing." He turned to the silent warrior. "What about you, Naruto-san?"
"I don't think my views will change the fact that the marriage will still be held."
"Yes, we are quite aware of that. But I still value your opinion on the matter."
"It's not important. Just drop it."
Sasuke looked put off and exchanged glances with Hinata. It seems that in the short moment, they came to a silent agreement.
"Naruto-kun," Hinata pleaded. "Please tell us. I-I know that it will not change anything, but... it will help to ease our nerves on the matter, if only a little."
For some reason the sound of her voice pleading for him to speak his mind turned him to jelly. It was so infuriatingly wonderful that she had such hold over him, and he could not help but yield to her every want and need.
"Damn it. You're not going to let this go, are you?"
She gave him that sweet, innocent smile that plagued his thoughts every time he closed his eyes. "Of c-course not."
"Alright, fine. You really want to know what I think? I think the whole thing is pointless. To me it seems that the Hyuuga have no reason to join with the Uchiha. Everyone in Fire Country knows that they hold the most power over any clan, and their territory stretches over most of the land. It seems to me that there's something driving this whole corrupt wedding behind the scenes, and I don't like it. I think you're both in danger. Don't ask me why, I just feel it. Ever since I stepped into this wretched place, I've been uneasy. And to top it all off, I find it sick that two people are being forced to be with someone that they don't love. Love is a choice every human being is entitled to, and it's disgusting that nobles follow such idiotic traditions! They treat it like it's currency to be thrown away on whatever they wish, and as you very well know, not everyone can be so wealthy."
Hinata looked shocked, to say the least. One reason could be because she had never heard him say so much at one time, but it was mostly because it seemed that the last bit wasn't about the wedding anymore. Sasuke just stood there, mulling over what was said in his mind.
"Naruto-kun... I d-don't know what to say. I had no idea that... that-"
"Spare me your sympathy, Hinata. I already told you that I don't need or want it."
"Naruto-san, there's no need to be so harsh. She is only concerned about you."
"It's alright, Sasuke-kun. I know that he doesn't mean to sound so harsh. It is just how he is."
"Whatever, " Naruto said bitterly. "You wanted to know what I think and I told you. I didn't say it was going to be all candy and daisies."
"So I see," Sasuke responded. "Naruto, have you any leads on what it is behind all of this?"
"I already told you that I think your brother is up to something. I don't trust the bastard."
"If that's so, then I may be able to uncover something. It is just a matter of making sure he is out of the house long enough for me to investigate."
"You think I-Itachi-sama is untrustworthy?"
"Hai. It seems his motives have strayed from the path of righteousness. Although it pains me to say it, we must put a stop to whatever it is that he is hiding."
"Tch. Good luck with that," Naruto said offhandedly.
"Indeed, we will need it. I think I may have an idea, but I don't know for sure if it will work. I will fill you in on it once I have worked out the flaws. Until then, there is one more matter to address."
"What is it?" Hinata asked curiously.
He black-haired man smirked. "It seem that your cousin has growing suspicions that you two are, ah... intimate."
Hinata's face flared and Naruto's eye flew as wide as they can go. They both responded at the same time.
"N-nani!?"
"Bull shit."
Oh this was just to great to pass up. Sasuke was having a field day with these two. "HA HA HA! And I cannot blame him! You two may not realize, but you can be painfully obvious to others yet blissfully oblivious to yourselves. It is almost too much for me to comprehend. If you ask me, I think it is you two that should be getting married."
"S-Sasuke-kun!" Hinata had never been so flustered before in her life! Oh how she wished she could just melt into the earth right now and be spared this humiliation.
"That's it, I'm done. I don't have time to listen to your moronic assumptions. Think what you want but I assure you that there is nothing between Hinata and I other than the fact that she is my employer and I am her guardian."
"Come now, Naruto! It was only an innocent observation. Please, there is no need to be so rash-"
"And why not!? I wasn't asked here to talk about the what-ifs about my personal affairs! I already told you more than I should have and I regret the fact that I even decided to take on this job! It's been nothing but a huge pain in my ass since the very start!"
He said it before he could even stop himself. It was as if his mind went on auto pilot and left him to deal with the aftermath. Realizing what he said, he looked at Hinata and saw that she was on the verge of tears. It was so heartbreaking for him to bear.
"Shit."
"Is that w-what you really think?" she whispered to his feet. For the life of him, Naruto had no idea what to say. It wasn't like he could take back his words on a whim. His silence was answer enough for her.
"-Sniff- I see... E-excuse me," she said quickly and pushed past Naruto and Sasuke.
"Hinata..." he said, but it fell on deaf ears as her tears finally fell. He watched as she ran towards the mansion and kept on going, not even sparing him a second glance.
Ouch, a cliffy. Sorry about that, but I had to end it there. I hope you guys liked it, please leave a review, if you are so inclined :) See you all in chapter 8!
