Howdy! Chapter nine is up and ready! Hope you like what I wrote in this chappie! It's a real twist in the story! Oops, that's all I'm gonna say! Enjoy and review!


Chapter Nine

The Agreement

Hours passed and they traveled, only stopping for food or rest. Both were silent throughout the time, exchanging a few words here and there but that was it.

Hinata felt a little better, she gained all her chakra back but still felt ill. She would sleep on the Uchiha's back but only to get woken up seeing the dead ninja's face before her eyes. Sleep would come but she would stay awake. The nightmare was too painful.

The blue haired woman felt like a burden. Her lack of strength made the raven haired shinobi carry her all the way, and her stubbornness always nudged her.

"I can walk."

"I know that. But we have to be there before sundown. It's faster if I carry you."

And the topic was dismissed.

Only being a couple hours away from Suna, Sasuke stopped for a breather. Hinata slid of his back, making him sigh contently. He leaned his back against a tree, his breathing labored and sweat covered his body. The sharingan user didn't mind carrying her. He thought it was a nuisance for her to be all glum, but since the beginning of this mission of hunting Hiruku, he never had a chance to train.

Holding on extra weight was a good workout so he didn't mind. She didn't even weigh that much but if it were Sakura or Ino, he would have thought he were only putting a pound of feathers on his back. Not like I'll ever carry them, he smirked to himself. But why wouldn't he mind carrying Hinata? He asked himself.

Because she's not annoying or a hothead.

He glanced to where the Hyuga sat. Hinata's back was towards him, her back crouched and feet dangling off the boulder she sat on and her backpack next to her.

She looked better, got some color back on her face. Still, she looked like a zombie. His stomach growled and white eyes peeked over her shoulder, her eyes dull.

He stood, brushed off his pants and walked to where he tossed his pouch.

"I'm going to find something to eat. Will you be alright here by yourself?"

Of course she will, idiot. He mused. It's not like she's blind.

Instead of her answering, she walked to him, her steps still looking wobbly but held their ground. Her hand grabbed the pouch he was holding and took it out of his hands.

"I'll hunt. You rest."

"I'm done resting," he gruffed and tried to free the bag out of her grasp but she didn't budge.

"You need rest," she said again in a monotone voice, eyes staring right into his. "At least go wash up. There's a river about half a mile west from here. You won't be able to wash up soon. The land will get rough and water will be scarce. Take all of mine and your equipment there and we'll make fire there."

He bit his tongue, biting a response of him not needing to wash up. He looked down at his body, his skin all sticky from the sweat and dirt covered him head to toe.

"I'll meet you at the river in twenty minutes." She hooked the pouch to her hip. "Be done by then and leave your dirty clothes out, I'll wash them."

He was hesitant to agree but nodded. "Don't get into any trouble. If you do," He pointed to the pouch, "There's a lighting rod in there. Just pour some chakra and lighting will shoot towards the sky. It'll alert me."

Hinata nodded and started walking away, leaving Sasuke to stand for a few seconds before he turned and left in the opposite direction.

Sasuke reached the river with ease, finding it hidden behind some bushes. He undressed, carelessly throwing his dirty clothes in a messy pile before sinking in. A sigh of relief escaped his lips. A good dip in a river never felt so good. He closed his eyes, sinking into a blessed oblivion but couldn't stop himself with worry.

Knowing the Hyuga's out there in her condition, anything could happen. He didn't argue much before he sorely needed a bath.

One. He stank.

Two. He felt uncomfortable in his sticky clothes and body.

Three. I'd have to carry her and she'll feel uncomfortable with my dirty clothes and skin.

His sore muscles ached but soon grew numb under the water. Sasuke didn't notice his soon coming slumber to where he'll fall asleep in the water and how long he will.

Leaves crunched underneath black shinobi sandals. Dark hair tangled with the wind, clothes fluttering from the breeze on a kunoichi's body.

Hinata tilted her head, eyeing the big sunny sun. Almost four. Shes been gone for fifteen minutes already. Tossing a hunt bag over her shoulder, she walked to where she was to meet up with Sasuke. Her head pounded hard, throat dry and itchy, and plus she was dirty.

But she didn't care.

Her feet dragged themselves west, her eyes wandering the tall trees. A flicker in the trees caught her eyesight but she kept walking. If someone wanted to attack her, she wouldn't fight until she knew who it was. It was a dangerous thing to do but she didn't want to make the same mistake twice.

The flicker swooped down and she closed her eyes, waiting for the attack. It never came. Peeking one eye open, she saw a brown and black bird staring at her, it's head cocked to the side, as if looking at her questionably. Opening the other eye, she felt relief flood over her whole body. The bluette didn't think she could handle a fight right now without having a mental breakdown. Peering closely to the bird, she recognizes it in an instant.

White eyes stared at the bird and she walked closer to it, her hand reached out. The bird watched with calmness, not even flinching at her movement.

"You have a message for me, Zobi?" Hinata spoke, reaching for the vest around the eagle.

The eagle replied with a screech that echoed across the woods.

She grabbed a scroll, seeing it was different than the one she sent.

"I completely forgot about this," Hinata muttered to herself.

"Thank you, Zobi." She eyed the scroll, wondering what the answer might be while busily scratching the eagles head who seemed to enjoy it.

Finding no confident answer, she reached her hand that's was massaging the bird and broke the blood seal on the scroll. White smoke pooled but disappeared quickly leaving the now unlocked scroll.

Part of her wanted Naruto to make her return back home, to forget this mission. She wanted to see Hanabi an Neji miserably. The other part of her wanted to continue with the mission, to finished what wasn't cleaned and to help Sasuke.

Only one way to find out and she opened the scroll.

She read it twice then closed the scroll, showing no hint of happiness or sorrow. Giving the eagle another scratch to the head, the heiress dismissed it. The wings spread and took of in the blue sky and she walked to the river.

Veins traced her face and looked for the black eyed ninja. She looked left to right and saw a manly figure laying in the water...motionless.

"No..." She gasped and ran with all strength possible to it.

Reaching the river, she gasped for breath but her breathing hitched after what she saw. The Hyuga closed her eyes slowly and turned away. Walking to a nearby tree, she counted to ten in her head to calm herself.

She fisted her hand against the bark of the tree. That idiot. Abruptly, Hinata turned her head and grabbed a stick that was on the floor next to her foot. She flung it to a dark head that laid idly on the edge of the river bay. Hitting right on the target, the head flew up, which caused the body to tumble into the water.

Sasuke stood up from falling into the water and looked up to see the Hyuga's arms crossed, her foot tapping impatiently.

He looked at her and swallowed dryly.

"Ne, Hyuga?"

"What?"

"Did I fall asleep?" He asked.

She couldn't hold it in anymore. "No shit, Uchiha! You could have drowned!"

He frowned. "I would have woken up if I felt my mouth or nose get filled up with water."

She seemed even more frustrated, her eyes growing venomously lavender. "Doesn't matter! You dropped your guard. You could have been attacked! I mean-"

Sasuke jumped out of the water and needless to say...he was naked. His hair was spikier than usual and out of small strands of hair dripped tiny water droplets onto his muscular chest. His body changed greatly from when Hinata saw him last and she couldn't help but think how sexy he looked just now.

The Hyuga gaped her mouth open but shut it immediately and turned around, flushed at what she saw.

He raised a brow. "What?"

Hinata faced away for a moment then stood straight and turned back around, DARING not to look down but stare straight into his dark eyes.

"Umm..." She started.

His eyebrow raised some more. "What?" He questioned again.

"May you give me your dirty clothes?"

Everything froze for him at that second. Sasuke jerked his head down. Crap.

"You might catch a cold if you keep standing there," she told him.

He lifted his gaze towards her, his eyes sparkling with something horrible. Sasuke smirked at her. Suspicious crossed her eyes. He raised his hand and she followed it.

"Is that what you're looking for?"

She grimaced and stared back at him. He crossed his arms in defense. "Better hurry. I can't stand like this forever or shall I walk there myself?"

Her eyes grew like saucers. Bastard escaped from her mouth and she walked to the clothes. Picking them up with one angry swing, she strode over to the river and dumped them next to the ground.

She grabbed her backpack, untied her blanket that was in top of it and flung it to the nude Uchiha. He caught with one hand and draped it across his waist.

"Thank you."

"Idiot."

He managed to suppress it since he got out of the water but couldn't hold it it. A hearty laughter bursts through his mouth, making the Hyuga stare back, her face showing complete shock. After all, the Uchiha never laughed.

He chuckled softly, and exhaled happily. "That was one of the funniest things I've ever seen."

"Shut up and start the fire," she growled and twisted her body away from Sasuke, and began washing his clothes. Boy, was she in a bad mood. At least she's not so glum anymore, he thought agreeingly.

"Yea, yea." He turned into the woods and came back a minute later with arms full of firewood. He then dropped them into a pile, and lit them up with a simple fore jutsu. Grabbing the hunt bag, he took out three rabbits and skinned them, getting them ready for cooking.

"Hyuga, can you come and fix the rabbit?"

She turned her head and sees him squatting next to the fire, rabbits on sticks. "Please?" Hinata said irritatedly.

He rolled his eyes but decided to play along. "Please?"

She stood from her job and went to her backpack, reaching in the small zipper and took out a bottle the size of a can of soda and walked over to the duck-haired shinobi.

She sat down and handed him the bottle. "What's this?" He asked.

"The seasoning," she answered simply.

"Why are you giving it to me?"

She poked his shoulder. "YOU season it."

Sasuke stared at her. "No."

"Why not?" She retorted.

"I'll screw it up."

"No you won't."

"Yes I will."

"NO you won't."

"YES, I will."

"Oh, for heavens sake, it's not that hard!"

"Exactly. Which is why YOU can do it." Sasuke handed her the bottle and crossed his arms across his bare chest. "Why do you want me to do it, anyway?"

"Because its good to learn new things."

"Really?" He scoffed.

"Plus you're the one who likes it."

"I only like it when you do it."

Hinata didn't say another word. She untwisted the cap of the seasoning and sprinkled it on the fish.

When she was just about to grab the last rabbit, Sasuke caught on to something. Out of the pouch that sat in her hip she took from him was a rather large scroll sticking out. He looked closely and recognized something. A Konoha symbol. He growled loudly.

"Are you really that hungry that you have to growl like a wolf?" She muttered, not paying attention where he was googling his eyes at.

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?" She tilted her head to see him.

He nodded his head towards the pouch. Hinata looked down and grabbed the scroll out. Eyeing Sasuke she tossed it to him.

He stared at it. "You real mission is to bring me back...isn't it?"

"Just read the scroll."

He grimaced but obliged. Since the seal was steady broken he just opened it and started reading.

He blinked once.

Then twice.

"What the hell is this?"

"What do you think it is?"

"...You sent an urgent message to Konohagakure JUST to get permission to continue this mission?"

"What else?" She turned her head and glared at him.

"What?" Hinata smiled. "You actually think ill be on a mission to return you?"

"Maybe, Kami who knows what Naruto wants me back for..."

"Well, you're mistaken."

Sasuke thought for a moment. "You also asked you didn't need backup? Is it that you don't need it or because I'm in the plan as same as you and you don't want anyone to know?"

"No I don't want anyone to know and I CAN do this mission myself."

"Why is that?"

"Rumors can get ugly.."

He lifted his lips into his signature smirk. "I get it."

Hinata twirled her head to look at him. "Get what?"

"You don't want your father or anyone else to found out that you've been with me for how long? Days? WEEKS?"

Before he knew, he was pulled down hard into the ground, black hair tickling his face. A kunai dug in his neck, being really close to cutting out blood. "I swear if you even breathe a word to anyone about this, I will personally cut your dignity off."

"Am I really that bad for reputation?"

"I don't care and I wouldn't want to know. I'm not taking any chances."

"Then I guess I shouldn't either." He looked into her eyes. They were really a mystery. "I have a question Hyuga."

"Better think about you want to ask." She drove the kunai harder to his neck.

"Don't worry..." He turned his head to look left to right and leaned his head to Hinata's.

"Hyuga, do you realize I am naked right now besides this thing around my waist and by the position you put us in right now, you are really putting yourself in bad boundaries."

She didn't blink. Her eyes bore into his what felt like an eternity before he started feeling not at ease. Hinata released the kunai and slowly stood up. Right when Sasuke was standing up, a punch landed in his abdomen, blowing him down harshly back to the ground.

"Stupid." She spat and turned her heel, leaving Sasuke gasping for air.

He rotated to his stomach and grasping on all fours. Damn her punch is strong. But at least it's not as strong as Sakura's, he winced.

Sasuke glared at her. Who gives her a damn right to hit me? He thought annoying. Anyone who would hit Sasuke would be either dead or broken to pieces and would die like that.

Her back was turned away from him, making Sasuke smile deviously. Pretending to go check the fish, he idly sneaked up on the pupil less girl.

He sat down next to her and diverted his eyes to the fish. Together they sat there, criss-cross and saying nothing. Crickets chirped around them, if not for them, they would have been in complete silence.

"Do you have something you wish to say to me?" Her voice broke the silence.

He shook his head.

Hinata puffed her bangs. She was in one sour mood. Kami, she thought Sasuke was dead in the river and he just stood up carelessly and now he was acting like a little child! If Naruto found out he was dead because of her...oh wait...he doesn't even know he's with me. She groaned mentally. Why do I always make such stupid promises? Bringing Sasuke back would be a miracle from kami.

Her hands twisted with her hair that was still in a ponytail, but a very sloppy one. Hinata gave up and released the hair ribbon causing her hair to flow across her whole back, the wind blowing it out of her face. It felt good for her, knowing her dirty and greasy hair won't mess with her face. Hinata kept sitting there silently until she saw the raven man moving slowly towards her.

She stiffened herself. What was he doing? Right as she was about to pull away something touched her. A cold nose landed in her hair which made her lose all color to her face.

Sasuke inhaled and exhaled slowly. Parting away from the head his smirk turned into a big smile.

"Lavender."

Hinata blinked, breaking out if her coma. "Lavender..."

He poked her head. "You smell like lavender."

Hinata didn't know what to say.

"Y-yea, I guess."

"You smell horrible."

That threw her off. "Excuse me?"

"You smell horrible," he repeated solemnly. "Like dirt and sweat."

"That's not nice to say that!" Her face was growing red from anger.

"We'll it's the truth."

"I know it's the truth! I haven't bathed in days!"

"Why don't you?"

Hinata's mouth threw itself open. "Huh?"

He pointed to the steady current behind her. She gritted her teeth.

"Over my dead body."

He rolled his eyes. "Then you would really stink if you were dead."

A fist landed on his shoulder. "Ow!" He glared at her.

"Since you have the strength to punch me, you can travel on foot." He accused.

She smiled. "Finally some sense knocked into you!" She stood and almost skipped to his clothes that were drying on a big wooden log.

"Dress up, then we'll eat and-"

Her face lost color again. The Uchiha eyed her worryingly. "Ne, Hyuga, you ok?"

"Oh, no..." She collapsed on her knees, breathing harder than usual. Sasuke ran into action, squatting next to the Hyuga.

"Oi, Hinata, what the hell?"

"No, I can't. I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?"

Her eyebrows scrunched together, eyes shutting hard. "Misuma."

"Misuma? Who is she?" Sasuke questioned.

"The woman who helped me earlier today."

A woman flashed in Sasuke's eyes and understood. "What the problem?"

"Shit...Sasuke...she told me to meet her in Suna."

"...and?" He asked irritated.

"For crying out loud, I forgot! I forgot we were going to Suna!"

Sasuke abruptly stood. "Where the hell did you think we were going all this time?" He tensed his shoulders. "You thought we would actually go to kill that bastard right away?"

"Of course I did! Misuma gave me a paper-"

"What paper?"

"The layout and security of his hideout. It's right next to Suna in a small village," Hinata muttered.

"When did she give it to you?"

"When she gave my chakra back."

Sasuke thought for a moment. "But that doesn't explain why you disagree to go to Suna."

"Did you not remember what I did earlier today?" She stood and came face to face with him. "I KILLED a Suna ninja! If the Kazekage or anyone finds out I did it, they would want to add consequences on me!" She was shouting on the top of her voice. "What will the Hokage think of this. What will my father think of this?"

Hinata reflexes and punched a tree. "And I'm suppose to be a damn leader, a worthy shinobi!"

"Calm down!"

"I can't!" Her eyes dropped. "I-I can't."

He sighed and walked towards her. "We'll figure something out. Plus they might never ask and never find him."

"What if they ask? What if they do find him? They will see his chakra points shut off and who can only do that?" She pointed to herself. "Me! The Hyuga clan!"

"It doesn't matter. You're gonna have to go there, whether you like it or not."

"I can call off this mission. You still have to kill Hiruku yourself so it won't be a problem for our village anymore." Hinata briskly walked to her bag and tossed it over her shoulders.

Sasuke clenched his fists."So that's it? You're just gonna leave?"

"I'll send Misuma a letter saying I couldn't make it. She'll understand," mumbled softly.

"I don't give a damn about her!" He narrowed his eyes. "You'll regret this I know."

"You don't know me."

"I know a coward. Especially one with the nindo of to never give up."

Her foot stopped in mid-air. "I'm not giving up. Sometimes a mission goes wrong and you can never do anything about it." Hinata's eyes met his briefly, full of sorrow, begging for forgiveness. "Good bye, Sasuke."

Her steps walked away, slowly dragging her feet, her aching will of leaving an unfinished mission, a promise to bring Sasuke back, to help Sasuke.. She looked once more at him. She was leaving a friend.

But Sasuke didn't let things fall from his hand to quickly.

"Naruto sent me," he blurted.

She turned. "What?"

"And so did your father."

She smiled sadly. "You don't have to make excuses for me to stay, Uchiha."

"I'm not making any damn excuses," he bitterly replied.

The Uchiha saw her frown.

"It was suppose to be a cover-up mission. Higher than S-rank."

"What was it?"

"To protect you."

"Was that Naruto's request or my fathers?"

"Naruto's."

"Then...what was my fathers?" Her voice quavered.

He closed his eyes, getting Hinata nervous. "Sasuke?"

"I was suppose to only meet you after you killed Hiruku. Tsunade would have sent you a double mission and you would have had to work with me."

"So father wanted me to work with you?"

"No." He glared her into the eye, determination flaring. "He wanted me to find a way to agree with you into marriage."

Hinata's hand flew to her mouth, the lavender eyes growing white. "Wha-. What? Why?"

"My only goal left is to restore my clan. He wanted me to not tell you this: that no matter how hard you tried, your sister would be clan leader. To make him proud was to marry the last prophecy child of the Uchiha. Me."

Hands started trembling and eyes watering. "N-no, that can't be! He told me himself if I t-tried I could be come leader!" Her eyes widened and she tried to laugh but ending up in hiccups. "Y-you're lying! This is just some kind of sick joke! And how in the world would I ever agree to marry a man I don't love!"

"Weren't you going to do it anyways? If Hanabi were to take head, you would have been married of in some damn country to some stranger."

Hinata shook her head shakily. "Father hates you. He told me himself."

"Do you believe every word he says?"

"Yes!"

"You're too naïve, Hinata. Why do you think I want to go to Suna?"

She watched him, waiting for the unpredictable answer. "Me and you were suppose to go to Suna and have a marriage contract signed with the Kazekage and his siblings as key witnesses. They don't know this but I was to inform them."

"No. I won't do this."

"It's the only way to make your father proud."

She backed to a tree, sliding down to her knees. His words swam through her brain, nagging her, suffocating her.

"And you agreed to this?" She whispered painfully.

"It was the only choice I had left. And I was the one who brought it up to your father."

"Why me? Why not some other girl? Pick any girl off the street and they would agree. Not me."

"You're...how can i say this? You're Different... from the other girls. And your father only agreed because of our ties of our bloodline traits. He also made me promise to protect you." He softened his voice. "To try to make you happy."

Hinata's head rose. "Happy? HAPPY? How can I be happy?" Her voice was filled with venom.

He shrugged lightly. "We'll find a way. Plus, I'm willing to live in the village for this."

"You'd really stay in the village because you'll marry me?" She gaped.

Sasuke nodded. "You'll get to stay in touch with your family and..." He smirked softy. "You might be able to pursue you're dream as ANBU right?"

Hinata didn't know what to say. She sat there, staring at him, emotions traveling inside her at the speed of lightning. She'll be in Konohagakure, with friends and family, and ANBU? It couldn't be true. But something wasn't right here.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Would you waste your freedom to marry a disposed heiress for the rest of your life?"

"Maybe. But I can tell you this. If you find the man of your dreams, i'll cut off the marriage and you'll live happily. Hiashi understands this."

"R-really?"

"Hn." He rose an eyebrow. "So do you agree to marry me, the last handsome Uchiha?"

Hinata thought for a moment. Her emotions changed every milisecond from anger, shock, sadness and somewhat relief. Relief that's he would actually get to stay in the village. That she would be doing something that proves we worthy in her fathers eyes. But does father really mean I can't be leader? All those compliments and boasting...was it a cover up?

But since Hanabi will take over, it should be worth it. Her eyes landed on Sasuke. So I marry him? Her brows furrowed mentally. He was the one who brought this up...why? Was I really better than other women out there in the world? He would do all this for me? What have I done to him to actually acknowledge me? All I've done was act like a stuckup brat, she thought. But something flickered in his eyes when he spoke. It looked so real, like a spark ignited in his eyes.

Like he was telling the truth.

Hinata sighed heavily. I guess there's no better choice.

She laughed softly, her face looking more happier when she raised her head to look at him. "I guess I can but I don't know what to say about the handsome part."

Sasuke's face showed astonishment and he looked rather sad. "You don't find me handsome?"

"Hmmm." She tapped her finger against her chin. "I'll count you...passable."

"Passable?" He asked in utter shock.

"Uh huh."

He shook his head. "The only girl I'm marrying and she finds me passable."

"Sasuke-san."

"Hm?"

"Are you sure want to go through the trouble of an ARRANGED marriage?"

He bowed his head. "I know you rarely know me and the only thing you know about me is that I'm a man who sought revenge."

"And a idiot."

"Yea that too."

"But it's better for the both of us. You get to stay in the village and I dont have to worry about having a fan girl as a wife."

He squinted his eyes in suspicion. "You aren't a fangirl, are you?"

"Psh, I never even second glanced you."

"Ouch, that hurts."

"Do you want me to become one?" She questioned tauntingly.

"No thank you," He shuddered lightly.

"Good be grateful."

"Oh and just to let you know..."

"What?"

He stared at her, and his famous smirk appeared to his face. "You're going to have to act like you're in love with me in front of the Kazekage and his siblings."

She shrugged. "I gotta do what I gotta do." She smiled softly. "If this is what I have to do to prove to my father, ill do it."

He nodded. "Good, now get up Hyuga, we have to make it there by sundown."

She stood, and stared. "What?" He asked.

Her eyes dropped to his body.

"Oh, right. I'm still naked."

"And we didn't eat dinner yet."

"Right again."

She smiled and walked to him, stopping mere inches from him. "Now since I'm going to be 'married' to you, you have to stop calling me Hyuga."

"Only if you stop calling me lousy nicknames and Uchiha," Sasuke muttered softly, his breath tickling her face.

From their closeness, she doesn't back away. Instead she smiles in a teasing way.

"Then what honor do I have to call you?"

His lips raise into a smile, a smile he rarely showed since his childhood.

"Just Sasuke."

Hinata smiled too, a smile she hasn't shown since the war. A smile that shows happiness and full of care.

"Deal. Now lets go eat...Sasuke."

"Good, but let me first change, Hinata."

She shook her head, laughing softly before taking a few steps back, and then turned to rescue the rabbit, leaving Sasuke smiling 'like' an idiot in love.


Yay! Don't you guys love me for this? Haha lol just kiddin'. And can you believe it? I finished this under a couple hours! Shocking.

Please review and favorite and follow!

Love and farewell,

NarutoImagine01