Trials
Gaarazlilmiss
NOTICE!!-For all of you that have never seen the story "Ai?" please go back and find it because it is the first story, and this one will end up making no sense if you haven't read that one first!!
Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto, so be happy…or not… :P
Sorry I'm not on time, but I'm here with your chapter, and I'm so hoping you all like it. I've just started on my new fanfic, sort of like this one, except with a different story line, and a new couple. It'll have a sequel too if it's good, so be nice and review it. Anyway, back to this moment in time, I hope you all like this chappie.
Naruto: Maybe this won't be so bad. I guess I could stick around.
Gaara: Even you'll be ready to kill her once you stay long enough. Of course, you probably won't have it as bad as me.
Neji: I think I already Know how bad it is…
Kiba: I do too.
Hinata: ((Laughs nervously because she's the only girl here right now, and all these guys have something to do with her.))
Gaarazlilmiss: ((laughs at Hinata's nervousness)) Well, we'll start now since Hinata's about to pass out from Toomanyguys Syndrome.
Chapter 7: Neji's decision
The three ninja stood there looking at Tsunade with curiosity. What was so urgent that Tsunade would postpone the briefing for. "The festives have been canceled for today. All of our ninja will be taking part on this mission." said Tsunade. "There have been rumors that in the ranks of your sand nins, Gaara-sama, that someone among them is a traitor." said Tsunade. "The one we are concerned with, is Hoga Oshimota. Hinata says she's had an encounter with him." said Tsunade. She looked at Hinata expectantly. "Would you mind explaining to us what happened, Hinata-Chan?" she asked.
Hinata blushed slightly. "Well…he…" she said. She wasn't sure whether or not to continue. The matter seemed so frightening. Even if she told Tsunade about what he had told her he'd do, would she really be able to stop his actions in time? He seemed very intimidating, and Hinata was afraid for everyone's life. What he had asked her to do was much to deep. Kill the Kazekage…? Yeah, and get killed possibly. There was no way Hinata would just merrily go along with the plans. It was a lose lose situation, and it seemed they had them all planned out.
"Go on, Hinata." said Naruto. He was bewildered.
"He said that if I…if I didn't proceed with his plans, that the ones around me…they would die." said Hinata.
Tsunade raised a brow. "Proceed with what plans, Hinata. What did he want you to do?" asked Tsunade.
Hinata was deathly afraid of this part. When Hinata said that she knew who Oshimota was, and that the encounter wasn't in the least friendly, she had no idea that she'd have to do this much explaining. Unfortunatly for her, that was what was in store for her. "They wanted me…they wanted me to kill Gaara-sama!" said Hinata. She fought to hold back her tears, but there was a burning sensation in her cheeks and she felt as if she were going to cry anyway. The tears in her eyes began to obstruct her view to the point of blurriness.
Gaara looked over at Hinata and he looked a bit worried. "When did this happen?" he asked.
Hinata wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at him. "On my way home last night." said Hinata.
"About what time?" asked Tsunade.
"…" she didn't feel compelled to answer.
"We need to know…if we don't, then this will end up in vain." said Tsunade.
"About 3 o'clock in the morning." Hinata answered.
"That's late." said Naruto. "So what are we gonna do?" asked Naruto.
"Before we can continue with our festival, we need to make sure he is disposed from the area. And if he resist, for good." said Tsunade. "Naruto, Hinata. You will pair up with Sakura, Ten Ten, Kiba, and Neji." she said. "I want you scouting Konoha for him…that is, under the Kazekage's permission." said Tsunade.
"Why do we have to listen to him?" asked Naruto arrogantly.
Tsunade shook her head. "Because Naruto, Gaara-sama is the one that is in charge of him." said Tsunade.
Naruto grinned. "Of course!" he said.
Gaara looked at all of them. Hinata looked like she was suffering from all her shock, Naruto was waiting patiently for an answer, and Tsunade was quietly sipping on a cup of sake. He sighed.
Kiba…why did she pick him. It's like she's trying to make problems for us…
Thought Gaara. "Why is Inuzuka going?" asked Gaara.
"Because he has excellent taijutsu, and we are also trying to get him back to where he should be in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. Taking on missions like this might help him." said Tsunade.
Gaara sighed with irritation. "So why don't you just take Lee, and you help him with whatever he needs to learn?" he asked.
"Is that what you would like?" she asked pulling out the team roster.
Gaara sighed. "If Inuzuka is going to be participating in this mission, I would like to accompany them as well." said Gaara.
Tsunade smirked. "Alright. That will be fine. He should still be in Konoha. Ten Ten, Kiba, Neji, and Sakura should be here soon enough." said Tsunade.
Gaara seemed to fume at the predicament he was in. He had hoped to escape the situation for good.
This entire problem could have been avoided…
He thought. He looked over at Hinata. She stood back a bit from everyone else. It seemed that everyone else was talking to Tsunade. Gaara approached her and placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"It's just…he…that s-situation." she said.
Gaara didn't find peace with her constant stuttering, but he got over it. "Hoga Oshimota…he's one of the ninja the old man sent with me. I knew better than to trust him, so I was prepared." said Gaara.
Hinata looked at him. "You mean you knew he was going to do something?" she asked.
Gaara nodded. "Yes." he said.
Hinata could feel tension building between them again. After what had happened, it was no wonder. Did they really intend to take it that far? What if they didn't feel the same about each other anymore? What if…what if they were fading apart? Dread began to fill Hinata's heart. She didn't want that to end! Giving herself to Gaara so easily had made it so that the feelings they harbored for each other were strained. If it wasn't for Kiba, would they have gone farther? Hinata sighed and looked downwards. Of course they would have! Hinata felt odd thinking so, but she had to thank Kiba for coming.
Gaara noted her silence and her facial expressions. He knew very well what she was thinking. "Don't worry about it Hinata." said Gaara.
Hinata looked up at him startled.
"That will not damage the feelings I have for you. " he said.
Hinata thought she saw a grin on his face when he said that. He must have found it humorous, her thoughts. She smiled slightly and nodded.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and everyone found themselves looking at Neji, Sakura, Ten Ten, and Kiba.
Hinata looked at them all quite nervously.
"Ah, finally. You've all arrived. I trust you all remember what you all are here for." said Tsunade.
All nodded.
"There has been a slight change in team members, however. Gaara-sama will be accompanying you all on this mission." she said. "Now that I think about it, it is a wise decision." Tsunade said. "Hurry and gather what you need to take part on this mission. When you have all assembled back together, the mission will have started. " she said.
Everyone nodded, and jumped off except for Kiba. He gave Gaara a quick glare, then jumped off like the rest.
"Tsunade-sama…I must speak with you…" said Sakura.
Tsunade nodded and allowed her to stay, while everyone else filled out.
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Hinata went back to her apartment and gathered a few kunai, some shurikens, some of her ointments and antidotes, and a couple of first aid bandages. This mission seemed like it would be difficult. After what she had seen when she was with Hoga Oshimota, she knew he was a formidable foe. She had to admit she felt intimidated, but she couldn't let that show, especially not in front of Gaara. He'd be with her on this mission, and Hinata knew exactly why. He was afraid about Kiba being with her. She figured he didn't know about Neji yet, but that's who she felt nervous about. She still had to give him his answer. Hinata sat down on her bed, and put her hand to her forehead. Since when was her life full of problems like this!? She'd take dealing with the Hyuuga clan over all the huge decisions and problems she had now. There was a light knock on her door. Hinata stood up to get it and when she did, she found it was Neji.
"Hello Neji." said Hinata with a slight smile on her face.
Neji grinned. "Hi Hinata. Mind if I come in?" he asked.
Hinata nodded and stepped aside for Neji to enter. He looked around at her apartment with curiosity. "You've got a nice little abode don't you?" he said.
Hinata grinned a little. "Yeah. It's…nice for the moment. I actually would like to have a bigger apartment soon, so that I can allow more company over sometimes. It seems just a little small." she said.
Neji helped himself to the couch on the west side of the wall. "I actually came because I had something I needed to discuss with you before the mission." he said seriously.
Hinata looked at him, hoping it wasn't anything bad.
"I had…I had a dream last night, and it troubles me." he began.
Hinata grinned in amusement for a bit. She had never known Neji to come to her about something like this. "Really?" she asked as she sat beside him.
"Hn…" Neji said in response. "It had to do with me, you, Kiba, and Gaara." he said. Neji began to explain it to her, Kiba's in full detail, but when he got to Gaara and himself, he was confused. What should he say about the way those turned out? He didn't want Hinata to think that ultimately, Gaara was the best choice, and he was going to make her unhappy. No, he wanted her to believe that he was the best choice. "In the dream with Gaara, you were very unhappy…sad." he said. "And in mine, you were overall contented. I believe that if you stay with me, we could accomplish something. And I don't intend to rush you, especially since the festival and now this sudden mission have come about, but I just thought you should consider the fact that maybe those two aren't right for you." he said.
Hinata was definitely shocked with Neji's words, and his dream. She wondered if he really did have a dream like that. But being Neji, and having an strong belief in destiny and fate, he might have actually had it. Hinata didn't know him to be a liar. She decided not to ask him anymore about it…not yet anyway, and she gathered all her items and placed them neatly in her pouch. "Well…I don't know…" she said. "I…honestly I think it might just be your mind playing with you." she said, hoping this would drop the conversation.
Suddenly, however, Hinata found herself pinned to the back wall. She gasped in shock, and her reflexes made her grip the shoulders of the person responsible. "N-neji???" she asked quietly.
Neji looked at her with soft eyes. His grip wasn't hurting her at all, probably just shook her up a bit. "Listen, Hinata…the thing is…" he said, "I don't only want to bring back our clan, but I also care about you. I want to be with you, it isn't against my will at all. Give me a chance…" he said. "I don't want any of what happened in that dream to come true, I honestly want your happiness." he said.
And I'll be sure to make my stroke of bad luck in that dream nothing more than a mere image…I'll defy destiny, like Naruto did…
He thought.
Hinata looked at Neji, eyes growing wider with each passing second because of her shock. "I'm…Neji….you know I'm…" she said.
"Let me guess…," Neji began. "In the long run, the answer was going to be no." he said.
"But you know that I'm in love with Gaara-sama…" she said. "I…I can't just…" she said.
"Hinata. Gaara is a kazekage now. I'm sorry to say, but that kind of relationship won't last. You are here in Konoha, about two days away from Suna and you are a jounin. Just one more of the many we have. He is two days away from Konoha and he is a kazekage. He's the only one, and everyone will be looking up to him there. He won't have time for you. I will." said Neji.
"He came back! He didn't forget about me!" said Hinata. "He will have time for me. He's had time for me ever since he has been here!" said Hinata.
"And it's only been about one day. This second day is just beginning." said Neji with a deepening frown. "He brings problems with him wherever he goes. He can't protect you." said Neji.
"Why are you saying this to me…? You wouldn't have protected me before. On top of that, you didn't care about our relationship then…why now Neji?" she asked.
Neji sighed and pulled his hands down, allowing Hinata to relax just a little bit. "Hinata-chan…I don't see you as I did before. You…I need you, and you need me." said Neji. "Like I said, I WANT to rebuild this clan with you…Gaara probably has many other women he can replace you with if you decline him. I want only you." he said.
Hinata just stared at him, and suddenly, Neji saw silent tears stream down her face.
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Kankuro and Temari watched their brother walk around his room in an fit.
"Alright Gaara, you can stop pacing back and forth now. Tell us what's up?" asked Temari.
"It's that Kiba Inuzuka, and Konoha's drunk hokage." said Gaara.
Kankuro spit out what he was drinking on. He had never in all his life heard Gaara say something like that.
Temari's eyes widened. "Gaara…what happened?" she asked calmly.
"He has been interfering in my personal affairs, and not to mention that we have a problem on our hands…" said Gaara. He explained to Temari and Kankuro the predicament that they were in.
"So…what you were saying when we first arrived was right. He is up to something…" said Kankuro.
"Yes. And now their Hokage has issued a mission. Since she so wonderfully put Inuzuka in this mission along with Hinata,…I decided to participate as well." said Gaara.
Temari giggled a little.
"What's so funny?" asked Gaara glaring at her warningly.
"Oh nothing, I just think it's sweet how you decided to go with them on the mission just to watch over Hinata." Temari said with a sugary smile.
Gaara growled. "I just need to see first hand what's going on with this sand ninja and what the old man is up to." Gaara said.
"Alright Gaara, whatever you say." said Temari. "Just remember you just said so yourself about a minute ago." she said as she stood up. "Shouldn't you be going anyway?" she asked.
"Yeah, bye." said Gaara as he grabbed his gourd and headed out the door quickly.
"Seems our Gaara is growing up quick." said Temari with a grin.
"Really now…You shouldn't pester Gaara about his relationships. After all, you wouldn't want him teasing you about the brainy boy you go out with….Shikamaru." said Kankuro.
Temari laughed. "I wouldn't mind. Besides, what kind of teasing can Gaara really do? I don't even think he can compute the word." said Temari.
"You'd only say that while he isn't here." said Kankuro with a grin and a shrug as he walked out to get himself another drink.
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Neji didn't mean in the slightest to make her cry. "W-wait Hinata…what did I say…I mean…???" Neji said, his mind lost for words.
"You d-don't know how hard I-it is…you don't know how hard I-I try…" she said. "There is so much I m-must keep up with and so much people e-expect of me…" she said.
Neji watched the frail looking woman before him collapse in a heap on the floor and burry her face in her knees. She was right. Hinata had so much she had to keep on her mind. All he did was add another hundred pounds to that load.
"Hinata…" he said.
Hinata continued to cry.
"Hinata, I…" he bent down in front of her and gently cupped her face with his hands. "Please don't cry." he said. He leaned in slightly, as if to kiss her, but instead whispered in her ear, "I will tell Tsunade what we have concluded." he said.
Hinata began to furiously wipe tears from her eyes as she looked at Neji. "You…." she said.
"I understand now Hinata." said Neji. He didn't look angry, or sad, or anything really. Just understanding. Hinata found herself relieved.
Deep in his heart, Neji loved Hinata. It hurt to say what must be done.
I can't make her love me.
Neji thought.
Not after how I treated her before. Not after I hurt her all that time. How could I just come to her, say that I love her, and expect her to love me back?
He thought.
I should have thought about that before. But I never thought, still, that I'd come to love her so. I guess your enemy is always your best friend.
Neji grinned a bit. "Hinata. Come. We're going to keep the others waiting, and it would be nice if the festival could start back up soon." he said.
Hinata smiled at Neji as she allowed him to pull her up. "Neji-kun…thank you." she said.
The two began to walk towards where Ten Ten, and kiba decided they should all meet.
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Sakura looked at Tsunade seriously. "…He got to her before I did." she said.
"Don't worry. It was likely he was. Since he was already searching , he had a head start…" said Tsunade.
"I did meet him though…he isn't the friendliest person." said Sakura.
Sakura had been searching for a long time, when she saw someone coming from the direction of the apartments that Hinata lived in. Sakura feared the worst. She immediately rushed for Hinata's house in the middle of the night and opened the unlocked door. Walking in, she found it to be normal looking, with the exception of a nice sized hole in the floor. "What could that have been?" she asked. She crept around the apartment until she found herself in Hinata's room. Hinata was curled comfortably up on her bed, asleep, it appeared. But being as cautious as she was, Sakura had to check. She removed the covers slowly, and scanned Hinata's body. It looked like she was okay. She was breathing normally, and was in a good sleep. Sakura felt slightly odd peaking into Hinata's home and at her while she was asleep, but it was a part of her job, now anyway. She quickly pulled the covers over Hinata again and began to leave when she heard Hinata stir. She stopped and turned around, a cold chill running down her spine to find that Hinata was just tossing in her sleep. Sakura sighed in relief. She hoped that Hinata didn't always sleep so deeply.
Sakura closed the door, but couldn't lock it because it had to be locked from the outside. She hoped Hinata would be okay. She jumped on, seeing nothing wrong, and decided to continue searching for the man who would meet Hinata.
"…Are you looking for me?" a voice said. Sakura stopped in her tracks and turned around to face a sand jounin. He smirked at her a little.
"Who are you?" Sakura asked.
"I am Hoga Oshimota." said Oshimota.
Sakura glared at him, drawing a kunai and standing offensively. "I won't let you kill the Kazekage or get to Hinata for that matter!" she said charging at him.
Oshimota grabbed her frail feeling arm and held her there. "Too bad…I've already done one of those things." Oshimota snickered. "Hinata Hyuuga has already been talked to. Unfortunately, she didn't agree to our conditions..or so I thought.. I'm going to give her one more chance, but you must be disposed of. I know you, the Hokage's apprentice, her little pet now aren't you?" he said. "They told me to be wary of you." Oshimota said.
Sakura kicked him in his gut and jumped back. "Hinata would never sink so low." she said.
"On the contrary. You see, under the conditions we've set for her, she just might comply." Oshimota said standing up as if he hadn't even been kicked.
Sakura stared in horror as the ninja stood up like nothing had happened to him at all. "What are you?" she asked.
Oshimota grinned. "Now why are you so frightened?" he said. He jumped at Sakura and elbowed her in the back.
Sakura tried to stand up, but she was gasping for air.
"Nighty-night." said Oshimota as he hit her in the head hard enough for her to fall unconscious.
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Sakura woke up very early in the morning right where he left her, which was in a small wooded area. The sun was just rising. She must have been knocked out for about three hours. She stood up, dusted the dirt off of her, and decided to tell Tsunade about the little meeting she had with Oshimota. As she was headed towards the office in a bit of a hurry, she bumped into Ten Ten. "Ah! Sorry Ten ten…I should watch were I'm going." Sakura said as she began to make her way towards Tsunade's office.
Ten Ten placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "You okay Sakura? You look like you didn't get much sleep or something. You actually look a little beat up." said Ten ten examining Sakura.
"It's fine. I have to speak to Tsunade-sama now!" said Sakura.
"Actually, Tsunade summoned us all. You can come with Neji, Kiba and me." she said.
Sakura nodded. "Alright, let's go." said Sakura.
"That's when I came here." said Sakura.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "So, this Oshimota has strange abilities…?" Tsunade said quietly.
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Well, that's the end of this chapter. Promise there will be lots more GaaHina interaction in the next and coming chapters!! Anyway, thanks for reading, your reviews are always appreciated!
Gaara: Where did Neji go…?
Gaarazlilmiss: I have no earthly clue, but we don't need him to close out the story.
Naruto: Can I please be excused to get some ramen???
Gaarazlilmiss: Bring me some back and sure : )
Kiba: I just want to get away from Gaara…
Gaara: Want to say that again??
Gaarazlilmiss: Well, I'm going to close this before Kiba and Gaara officially rip each others' eyes out. Um, give me some good feedback.
Oh, and I need you all's opinion on something: Should Neji actually give up on Hinata right here, or should he keep on trying his luck…? I'm going to have to narrow this down sooner or later, and I want to know if we should drop the white eyed boy.
Neji:..
Uh, c ya!
