9
xxxxx
"We've already sent Kankuro and Temari ahead," a man who looked to be in his late fifties or sixties sat behind the Kazekage's desk, frowning at the papers in front of him "I'm sending you because of your history with this person. Apprehend him, it does not matter how, but he is not to be killed." Looking up from the desk his gaze settled on the red head standing before him "I apologize, Gaara-sama, this will push back your ceremony by a few days at least."
Cool jade eyes took in the older man and he nodded briefly, his expression bland "It is no imposition," he began "This mission is more important…for more than one reason."
"Hyuuga." Wizened grey eyes looked over at the tall teenage male in the white robes "I am sending you specifically to protect Gaara-sama. With Temari already up ahead you're one of the few jounin who could handle such a responsibility."
There was a small bow from the long haired male, his eyes and expression as bland as the redhead's. "I understand. I am to assume then that Hinata-sama is accompanying us due to her tracking abilities?"
Both young men glanced over at the girl beside them, her expression serious and a little sad.
"Yes," the old man leaned back "We are aware of her superior sight concerning your clan's Byakugan, it will make finding him that much easier. Upon your return we'll contact Konoha in regards to rumors of Uchiha Sasuke being within our lands. The council hopes to give our allies good news."
Five minutes later the three teenagers could be seen walking away from the Kazekage's office. Neji frowned thoughtfully "I wonder how many others of the council will offer their hollow apologies to their future Kazekage." It was said off handedly and he did not look down when his cousin gave him a curious look. "If anything, they probably hope that somehow Gaara will be killed and thusly eliminate their worries concerning the host of the one tailed beast. It is said Uchiha's power has increased exponentially."
Small hands gripped at his arm and his mercury colored eyes flickered down to take in the worried and upset expression on his cousin's face "Please don't say things like that Neji-niisan…"
"It is not an incorrect assumption." Gaara said it softly and with no hint of hurt or malice "I am well aware of the fact that the council has not protested making me Kazekage for the specific reason of hoping that they will be able to control me better. A year and a half is not going to erase people's fear and hatred of me." When he felt the warmth of Hinata's hand close over his he tilted his head, giving her a small smile "It is of no consequence, Hinata-chan," he reassured her "I understood when I had decided to take this path that it would be like this, I am neither hurt nor offended."
She still looked terribly unhappy and he squeezed her hand gently only once. The trio continued to walk in silence until they had left the building. They stopped and regarded each other. Gaara was the first to speak.
"You're team leader, correct?" he asked Neji and the older male nodded.
"Yes, although I will have no qualms if you wish to take the lead instead."
The redhead shook his head slightly "No, I was merely curious. It is anticipated that we will be gone for a few days, how much time will you need to prepare yourselves to depart?"
Neji looked over at Hinata briefly before turning back to Gaara "An hour at the most although I do not believe it would even take that long."
Gaara seemed to consider this "I will be at the ridge in forty-five minutes." He informed them "If you arrive early, we will head out then."
"Very well. We will not keep you waiting long."
Hinata watched her best friend give them a small nod before walking off in the opposite direction, coat tails blowing softly due to the wind. He was taller now, both males were, with broader shoulders and an aura of peace and serenity around him. Gaara was now completely different from the boy he had been almost two years ago, not all of the changes she liked.
Even around her he had become extremely closed off emotionally. He had told her in the beginning that he would have to do it in order to keep the demon within him under some semblance of control. He wasn't the boy who had become dangerously jealous whenever someone even so much as looked at her incorrectly but he also wasn't the cheerful loving boy that he had showed only around her either. Hinata missed that part of him, she missed him period. They were still best friends but she was aware of the wall that had come between them and she didn't know why or how to knock it down.
"Hinata-sama?" her cousin's voice brought her out of her thoughts and she turned, giving him a small smile at his inquisitive gaze "Is something the matter?" when she shook her head a small smirk emerged "You are still a horrible liar, Hinata-sama."
"I didn't mean…" her eyes widened in alarm "I wasn't trying to…"
The smirk turned into a smile and he shook his head slightly, showing her that it was fine "I was only teasing." His expression became neutral although she could see the warmth in his eyes as he regarded her "If you do not wish to say, I will not force the issue, just know that if you do need someone to talk to I am here." He looked out in the distance where Gaara had walked off towards before glancing back at her. He was silent for a moment before turning "I would not worry over it much, Hinata-sama. Despite how he may act now I am positive his feelings for you in particular have not changed."
Falling into step beside him her smile was lopsided "You always seem to know what I'm thinking Neji-niisan."
"That is because you do not hide your emotions around those you care for and respect." He looked at her briefly "It also helps that I know you well. I do not believe he would want you to be sad for him."
Hinata nodded but still looked unhappy "It's just…everything is so different now. We're all growing up and following our own paths…I guess I just never imagined it turning out like this."
"Children tend to hold rather idealistic views on the world and their futures." He looked slightly contemplative "They hardly ever become reality. When my father was killed I swore that I'd never forgive the main house, that I would hate them until the day I died. It was a foolish notion, especially upon discovering the truth. Despite how much I had wished it to be a lie, I had also believed that I would be nothing more than another servant, an inferior creature when compared to my 'betters'. I never thought once that it could turn out differently, not until that risk you had taken had actually worked." There was a small sigh "In short, the life I live now is not the life I had expected, including the way I would feel concerning it."
She did not respond and so they continued their walk back to the Hyuuga estate in silence. It wasn't until they could see the gates that Hinata spoke again.
"Are you…happy Neji-niisan?" they stopped walking but she wasn't looking at him, her gaze was focused on her feet "Do you…think Gaara-kun is happy?"
He took a step forward and she did not resist when he tilted her chin up to face him. Even his eyes were unreadable as he regarded her "The path Gaara has taken will not bring him happiness for some years to come, not until the villagers accept the fact that he will never give into the demon again. He pursues his goal nonetheless, knowing that eventually that will change and the bonds he will make from it will bring him great happiness. He is aware that it will not happen instantly and he seems to be at peace with that." Taking a step back he looked off to the side "As long as you stand by him, Hinata-sama, I do not believe he could ever be truly unhappy."
That brought her a bit of relief. She loved her best friend, she has always wanted nothing but his happiness. Almost her entire life had been dedicated to ensuring that. It wasn't until after everything had been said and done that it seemed that he had finally realized it and decided he wanted to start over with everything and everyone. It had made her sad at first but it had been what he had truly wanted and so she supported him. She wanted him to realize his dream, she wanted him to truly be happy.
It wasn't until they had almost walked into the compound that she realized Neji hadn't completely answered her. When she pointed it out he looked at her strangely for a moment before responding.
"If you are happy with the way things are, I am happy with the way things are." He said cryptically and refused to say anything more on the matter, leaving her a bit confused.
xxxxx
"Although we've already scouted ahead a bit, it seems that the rumors about Uchiha being along the borders of Iwa and Suna are just that." Temari sounded slightly annoyed as she regarded the party "We haven't explored everything though, so there's a chance we could have missed him." Her frown increased when she looked at her youngest brother. "I still can't believe they sent you, those bastards."
"The council wished to send those who had known Uchiha previously," Gaara explained "This is something I want to do." It wasn't that it didn't bother him that the council was manipulating the situation but there was little he could do and it would happen eventually anyway; it didn't make any sense to be overly upset.
He glanced over at Hinata who looked pensive and he frowned inwardly. When Gaara had heard that Hinata had been placed on the team he had actually tried to talk them out of it but had been refused. She was a chunnin but she had the longest range in her clan concerning her bloodline limit. He had a bad feeling; before Uchiha had defected he had tried to force some answers out of her. He had failed but the future Kazekage hadn't missed the strange look he had given Hinata. It made him worried for her.
It seemed he was not the only one. Neji also seemed uncomfortable. Gaara made a mental note to speak with the jounin after the meeting.
"We should go in teams of two." Neji volunteered "Since this is Uchiha, going alone would not be advisable."
Temari shook her head "It's too much land to cover and we're jounin with the exception of Hinata and Kankuro – but they're not exactly far behind. We have flares, use it when you find him and we'll hurry to your location. We've also been given headsets; we'll be spread out so that one person will be able to contact at least one or two other people for back up."
The Hyuuga didn't look at all happy with this but Temari held seniority over him, it was her show. He said nothing else and shortly after the meeting was finished. Although Gaara had wanted to go and talk to Neji immediately, Temari had made him hang back for a minute or so. To his slight irritation it had been mostly for side talking, her expressing her dislike over the situation with him and the council. By the time he had left the tent and found Neji, he was speaking with Hinata. Unnoticed, he held back to listen.
"…just be careful, Hinata-sama." He said low, his expression serious "If you see him, come find one of us first, don't try and take him on yourself."
She nodded "I will. Please, don't worry about me Neji-niisan, I won't do anything reckless."
Her guardian took a step forward before hesitating. He grimaced slightly and then abruptly excused himself, confusing his cousin as he walked away. Weren't they engaged? Although he had said nothing Gaara noticed that Neji kept her at a definite physical and emotional distance. Hinata hadn't seemed to notice it but for him it was glaringly obvious. The long-haired male had all but implied that he had fallen for her and wanted to be with her but their relationship still seemed friendly. Why?
"Ah! Gaara-kun!" Hinata turned to him with a smile on her face and he forced his breathing to remain even and his expression impassive as she walked towards him. Even though he was able to control his emotions looking at her, as always, made him feel so many different things. He had thought that with time his feelings for her would simmer; she was engaged and they were only supposed to be friends, nothing more. Instead of his feelings simmering they only seemed to grow more intense as he became older. He had hoped the distance would have made the ache for her smooth over but it hadn't. He was still madly in love with her, he still wanted so desperately to be with her.
"Hinata-chan." It was said softly and a small smile emerged when she beamed at him, reaching over to take his hand with hers "I apologize but I overheard your conversation with Neji. He is right to be worried."
Her jovial expression shifted and she looked a little sad "I know." Her grip tightened "I promise I won't get in the way."
"That is not…" hesitating, he forced himself to keep his hand steady as he brushed back dark strands of hair behind her ear "We just don't want to see you hurt. We care about you deeply."
For the first time in their life Hinata gave him a look he didn't understand and it surprises him. He was sure he knew her well enough to understand all of her expressions but he was completely baffled. It was as if she was looking at him for the first time. Then it faded and she gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes "I…care about you as well, Gaara-kun. So please, be careful as well."
Gently, he squeezes her hand and when he moves to let go her touch lingers for a moment longer and he has to control the urge to sigh out loud. Whenever she touched him it felt so amazing; it always left him craving more. Instead of reacting he smiles slightly "You worry too much, Hinata-chan."
Nodding, she gives him one last strange look before replacing it with a smile "So do you and Neji-niisan." She said with a giggle and then politely excused herself when she heard Temari call for her.
"Hyuuga." The future Kazekage stood with his arms crossed, inclining his head slightly when he noticed Neji emerge from behind their tent that was being used as a temporary headquarters as they were so far out.
"Stay near her." This got him Gaara's full attention and he raised a brow curiously "They will want me at a farther distance, having two Byakugan users close together is counterproductive for tracking. No one will bat an eyelash if you remain near her, they will expect it."
Even though he knew he shouldn't, even though he knew it'd be too revealing, he asked it anyway "Why are you pushing her away if you love her?" he honestly didn't understand it "You two are engaged, you live together…was that not what you wanted? For Hinata to have the chance to fall in love with you?"
Like him, Neji's face could become devoid of emotion and was so now. There was silence for a while as they looked at each other, but then the Hyuuga blinked, breaking the spell "I wanted Hinata-sama to have a choice." He elaborated "Her devotion has been to improving herself and learning as much as she can from Hiashi-sama about how to properly run a clan." Then he gave Gaara a small smirk, walking over to him. When they were shoulder to shoulder Neji stopped, the smirk fading. "And I never said I was in love with Hinata-sama." He said it low "That was the conclusion you came to and I did not argue it."
He left the redhead there with turbulent thoughts. He thought back on the conversation they had almost two years ago and realized Neji was right; he hadn't mentioned being in love with Hinata. He said he wanted her to have a choice and one of those choices was to have a chance for her to fall in love with him…but he never actually said one way or the other what he felt, he had let Gaara make the assumptions.
But why was he telling him this now?
xxxxx
It was hotter than normal in this particular part of Suna, not far away from the borders but definitely a good distance within the land itself. The area was known for its canyons and massive ridges, a perfect place for someone to hide. There were various caves and it was taking quite a bit for her to 'stretch' out her eyesight so she could do a thorough scan on the area. Ten kilometers was quite the distance for a Byakugan user but that didn't make it easy. Hinata was thankful for the hours upon hours she spent testing and stretching the limits of her bloodline limit to become a more efficient tracker.
Sweat was dripping down her brow and her hair was matted to her forehead. It wasn't even noon yet. Landing on a cliff face her eyes shifted, pushing her vision so that she could see down to even the smallest of animals. Doing this for too long would strain her eyes but in a few hours it would be too hot for her to remain and not risk heat stroke. There was a chance he could be hiding here more than anywhere else; the caves were numerous and deep; they would protect one from the heat while making tracking impossible.
To say she was nervous would be an understatement. Hinata had been wary of the look Uchiha had given her before he had left the village; she could only hope and pray that he had forgotten about her. It wasn't as if she had made a huge impact on his life and they hadn't really interacted too much. Besides, he would have had much bigger things to worry about than her right? Right.
In any case, Gaara said he would remain close by, only fifteen kilometers, so it wouldn't take terribly long for backup should she by some freak chance come across the deserter. At the thought of the redhead Hinata was only grateful that she was already flushed from the heat.
Although she also did not show it, the past almost two years without the constant comfort of her friend had been agonizing for her as well. At first it hadn't been so bad because she had been too busy enjoying her new found freedom. She didn't have a lot of friends but she was close to Neji, Ko, and a few others. She even got along with her sister. She and Temari had a loose friendship and Kankuro…well he was Kankuro. But then once she had settled into those 'bonds' or relationships, she found herself missing her old life; missing Gaara. She missed his smile, his laugh, she definitely missed holding his hand and being near him at all times. Even now there were times when she would awaken, find her bed empty and weep. He had been her entire world, all she had ever known, and being without him pained her more than she ever would have thought possible. She missed being held by him, gods did she miss that so much, but most importantly she missed the fact that he would always tell her how much he loved her. He was distant but friendly, and…and…
And she hated it.
It didn't help that Neji had also become somewhat distant. It seemed that he was hiding something from her, something important. She didn't want to seem confrontational about it so she has never asked. His distance confused her, weren't they engaged? Not that she had expected them to start dating or anything but she had expected them to become closer, not distant. The two boys she loved most in the world seemed to not need or want her so much anymore and it truly hurt. She was surrounded by people and yet felt so lonely.
She missed the more cheerful side of Gaara, the one that had smiled and laughed with her when they had been small. Lately, there have been other things she has missed as well, things that…
Wait. What was that?
Hinata had been moving through the canyon again lost in her thoughts when she saw something flash southwest of her line of vision. It had been brief and she would have thought it were a figment of her imagination but something in her gut told her otherwise. Backtracking, she focused on expanding her vision even more near the area where she had thought she had seen something. Trust that out of all of the locations, this would be the area he would go to and she would be the one to come across him. Then again, it only made sense; she had been sent to this area specifically because it was extremely easy to hide here and she was extremely good at tracking people in difficult areas. It still felt like the fates were conspiring against her, however.
The 'flash' caught her attention again from behind and she shifted in mid air, chakra laced shoes bracing along the canyon wall before pushing off quickly. The flash kept moving at a speed she couldn't determine, and although she was afraid – terrified really – she kept going. If it was Uchiha she would shoot her flare, if it was just some…well more than likely it was him; she couldn't see an animal being able to move that fast.
Thought processes ceased as something slammed into her hard and she shifted chakra through her body so that when she slammed into the rock wall below it didn't instantly kill her. Pain lanced through her back and she quickly spat out blood before getting right back up and moving, not wanting to give the enemy more of an edge. The flash became a person and it was indeed Uchiha Sasuke. She took only a second to look him over before attacking.
He was taller than Gaara but shorter than Neji and he wore some sort of really weird outfit with a ridiculously huge rope bow at the back. Orochimaru wore the same thing, confirming what was already pretty much known. He had a sword strapped to his side but his eyes were impassive; the fire that had seemed to rest just below the surface had cooled. During that second he also seemed to take her in, his brow furrowing in slight confusion.
Putting all of her speed into her attack she shot chakra to her hands, forcing them to manifest into actual images of lions. Taking another step she began to spin and her opponent stiffened, hesitation costing him.
"Juuho Soushiken!" she cried as she slammed her hands into his chest, sending him flying. It took her only a second to realize she had just substituted himself for a clone.
"Interesting technique. You've been practicing."
Her arms were wrenched painfully behind her back and she found herself being slammed once again along the rock face, a sword at her neck. Fear moved through her as she came face to face with Uchiha who looked slightly amused. She hadn't seen his Sharingan often but now that he was close she could see into crimson depths, the tomoe looked exotic and he had all three although she couldn't quite remember the significance of that concerning those kind of eyes.
She did not say anything as he regarded her, the amusement fading into indifference. She deactivated her Byakugan, no sense in wasting the chakra, and settled for glaring at him instead. He still had that strange foreign taint but it seemed that he was in more control over it…or that he was stronger than it, she hadn't been able to tell.
"I had forgotten about you up until now." He admitted "But when I saw you I knew who you were instantly."
The 'intrigued' expression from years ago was no longer there, he didn't look like anything. She wasn't entirely sure how to feel about that "Are you going to kill me?"
Uchiha frowned at her, slightly confused before returning back to bored detachment "No. Not unless you give me a reason to. You're not the one I'm after."
That gave her a bit of courage "Why did you leave Konoha? Your friends?"
At this he chuckled, leaning back slightly "Friends? I don't have time for friends. I have a purpose, a goal, and I'll do anything to fulfill that. Konoha was holding me back, I'm much stronger now than I would have been if I had stayed there."
"B-but…Orochimaru…he'll…"
"Betray me?" when she nodded he frowned at her again, as if he couldn't quite understand her. Why was she showing compassion to him, the enemy? He had defected, joined an international killer to gain power and she was concerned for his safety? They stood there in silence for a while before another change emerged. It was still not intrigue, not like it had been years ago, it was something else entirely and it made her even more uncomfortable than before "Let's strike a deal, Hyuuga."
White eyes scanned black, trying to find any falsehoods. She found none "W…what sort of deal?"
"I know why you're out here, Konoha wants me to return. I can't do that." He shook his head "Until I've avenged my clan for Madara's betrayal I can't go back. This is something I have to do, Hyuuga, after that I don't care what happens."
"E-even if…if Orochimaru tries to take your body?"
"Why do you care about that?" he briefly shook his head, no getting her at all "Never mind. If I defeat Madara, I seriously doubt I'll need to ever worry about Orochimaru again." He smirked "I don't now."
She let out a shaky breath "What do…you want me to do?"
The smirk immediately disappeared "Don't tell anyone you saw me here. Let me go. If you do, I promise you when I kill Madara I'll return to Konoha. That's what you want, right?"
She considered this "There's a catch."
A shiver moved through her when he suddenly pressed himself close, another smirk playing on his handsome features "Is there?" he asks low, a whisper in her ear. Then he leaned back, amused at her discomfort "No, no catch. Like I said, once I kill him I don't care what happens. That man has taken everything away from me, I can't go back until I've defeated him but I will return. If you don't rat me out I'll give you my word."
So he was just trying to get revenge, there was no sinister ulterior motive. He had every intention of going back…should she seriously stand in his way then? What would she have done if she were in his shoes? It wasn't as if he was being dishonorable, if anything he was trying to restore his clan's honor. As long as he returned, that was okay right? Naruto and Sakura would have him in their lives again, they would just need to wait a little longer. With a small sigh she closed her eyes.
"Alright." She nodded and it was then that he removed the sword from her neck "I won't say anything, I promise."
The crimson in his eyes faded but the intensity of his gaze seemed to only increase without it "You're still different." He murmured it but since he was so close she heard it anyway "You don't do things for yourself…like aniki." The last part was said a little sadly "Where's Gaara? I thought you never went anywhere without that guy following you."
Something in his expression was telling her there was a specific reason he was asking her that question "He's…near. We all went our separate ways to search for you."
Uchiha was confused by this "That doesn't seem like him; he had you on a tight leash and did whatever the hell he wanted to do."
He was probing for something but didn't want to come right out and ask. She frowned, not understanding "He's changed…all of us have."
"Hn." Abruptly, his gaze shifted towards the distance and frowned "Activate your Byakugan and tell me who's coming."
She did "It's Gaara-kun."
The teen let out an irritated noise "He must have sensed me from earlier." He looked at her "Are you going to keep your promise?" when she nodded he finally let her arms go, taking a step back. Then he was giving her that stare again and it made her so very uncomfortable "Hyuuga." He waited until he had her attention "Getting revenge isn't my only goal, it's just the one that matters. When I'm done and I return to Konoha, I have one last thing I want to do and that's to restore my clan." He looked away briefly "It's what aniki would have wanted."
When he looked at her again she knew exactly what this new look was and she had been so startled by its appearance that when he moved forward, pulled her in his arms and kissed her; Hinata could do nothing but stand there, eyes wide, face burning.
"Stay strong, Hyuuga." He murmured against her lips "And don't change." A hand began to slide up to lightly grasp the back of her neck "You'd make an excellent Uchiha." The last part was said lightly, as if it were some sort of amusing joke.
She was unable to think much on it, however, for right after he said that fingers gripped the right pressure points and darkness claimed her.
